Police Rescue US-Based Doctor from Mob Over False Kidnap Allegation in Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a Nigerian medical doctor based in the United States, Dr Afolabi, from a mob attack sparked by a false kidnapping allegation in Ibadan.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan.
According to him, the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Monday along the Ologuneru Road area of the city.
Olayinka said an angry mob was on the verge of setting the doctor ablaze before police officers intervened and rescued him.
He added that the mob also set the doctor’s Lexus RX 330 SUV on fire during the attack.
The police spokesman said the victim is currently receiving treatment at the Police Medical Services and is responding positively.
He explained that two girls, Deborah, 15, and Rebecca, 12, who were found inside the vehicle and initially believed to have been kidnapped, are now under police protective custody.
Preliminary investigations, however, revealed that Dr Afolabi was not involved in any kidnapping, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
According to Olayinka, investigations showed that the girls were legally taken from a woman identified as Mrs Idowu Abimbola in the Eleyele area of Ibadan and were being transported to the doctor’s mother to assist with household chores.
He said Mrs Abimbola later appeared at the police station and confirmed the arrangement, while the two girls also corroborated her account.
“The misunderstanding began when Dr Afolabi attempted to gain access through The Polytechnic Ibadan gate and was stopped by a security guard for routine checks.
“When the vehicle window was lowered, the two girls were allegedly seen half-naked, raising suspicion among bystanders and security personnel.
“The victim’s inability to provide satisfactory answers at the scene and his attempt to leave the checkpoint further heightened suspicion.
“The situation worsened because the girls could neither speak the local language nor communicate properly in English, fueling the false kidnapping alarm,” Olayinka said.
He said the misunderstanding triggered a mob chase which eventually led to the doctor being intercepted and severely beaten before police operatives arrived.
Olayinka added that statements had been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an okada rider allegedly hit during the confusion.
He said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the mob action and destruction of property.
The spokesman quoted the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, as condemning jungle justice and the spread of false, unverified information capable of creating tension and undermining security efforts in the state.
