Police operatives have rescued one Dr. Afolabi, a Nigerian medical doctor based in the United States of America from being lynched by a mob over false allegation of kidnapping in Ibadan, Oyo State.
However, the medical doctor’s Lexus RX 330 SUV was set ablaze by the mob, while two young girls identified as Deborah, aged 15 years, and Rebecca, aged 12 years, found inside the vehicle, were taken into protective custody.
Oyo Police Command spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka in a statement on Wednesday morning said the mob action occurred on Monday, 12th May 2026, at about 2:30 PM around the 2nd Powerline Area, Ologuneru, Eleyele–Ido Road, Ibadan.
According to him, police operatives received report from concerned citizens alleging that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob.
He added that a combined team of Patrol and Detective Officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer Eleyele Police Station (DCO) immediately mobilized to the scene where the suspect was successfully rescued from the enraged crowd.
The Police spokesperson added that preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, identified as Dr. Afolabi, is a medical doctor practicing in the United States of America and not a kidnapper as falsely alleged in several misleading social media reports currently being circulated.
Olayinka added that further findings established that the two girls found inside the vehicle were legally taken from one Mrs. Idowu Abimbola, aged 56 years, of Eleyele Area, Ibadan, with the intention of delivering them to the victim’s mother for the purpose of assisting with household chores.
“In the course of investigation, Mrs. Idowu Abimbola was invited to the station where she confirmed the arrangement, while the two girls equally corroborated the account and related freely with the said woman, thereby dispelling the suspicion of abduction,” said the police spokesperson.
He added that further investigation revealed that the misunderstanding which triggered the false kidnapping alarm began when Dr. Afolabi attempted to gain access through the Polytechnic gate and was stopped by a security guard for routine vehicle inspection.
“Upon lowering the vehicle’s window glass, the two girls were allegedly seen half-naked, a situation which immediately aroused suspicion among bystanders and security personnel.
“It was gathered that the victim’s inability to provide satisfactory answers to questions asked at the scene, coupled with his decision to turn away from the checkpoint, further heightened suspicion.
“The situation was compounded by the inability of the two girls to speak the local language or properly express themselves in English, thereby fueling the false alarm of kidnapping.
“The development consequently led to a mob chase and eventual interception of the victim by irate youths who reportedly ignored all explanations offered by him and descended heavily on him, inflicting severe bodily injuries before the timely intervention of the Police,” said the police spokesperson.
According to the statement, the victim was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Services for urgent medical attention and is currently responding to treatment.
He added statements have been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an Okada rider allegedly hit during the ensuing confusion, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob action and destruction of property.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, has strongly condemned the act of jungle justice and the deliberate spread of false and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension and undermining the significant security gains recorded across the State.
“The CP warned that resorting to self-help, mob violence, and the circulation of misleading narratives on social media remain serious threats to public peace, law and order, and could ultimately reverse the progress made in sustaining security and public confidence within the State,” the statement concluded.