Police rescue doctor from mob attack after false kidnapping allegation

The Oyo State Police Command rescued Dr Afolabi, a Nigerian medical doctor based in the United States, after he was attacked by a mob that believed he had kidnapped two girls.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, stated that the incident took place on Monday at 2:30 p.m. on Ologuneru Road in Ibadan.

In a statement released to reporters on Wednesday in Ibadan, Olayinka said the mob was about to set the doctor on fire when police arrived.

He added that the mob had set the doctor’s Lexus RX 330 SUV ablaze.

According to Olayinka, the doctor is currently receiving treatment at the Police Medical Services and is responding to care.

The two girls allegedly found in the vehicle—Deborah, 15, and Rebecca, 12—are now in police protective custody.

Olayinka reported that a preliminary investigation showed Dr Afolabi, who practices medicine in the United States, was not a kidnapper, contrary to several misleading social‑media reports.

The PPRO further explained that the girls were lawfully taken from Mrs Idowu Abimbola in the Eleyele area of Ibadan.

According to Olayinka, the girls were to be delivered to Dr Afolabi’s mother to assist 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.”

“Further investigation revealed that the misunderstanding which triggered the false kidnapping alarm began when Dr Afolabi attempted to gain access through the Polytechnic Ibadan 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 fuelling the false alarm of kidnapping,” he said.

The police spokesman said the incident escalated into a mob chase, and the doctor was intercepted by angry youths who assaulted him severely before police intervened.

Olayinka noted that statements have been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an Okada rider who was reportedly struck during the confusion.

He said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all persons involved in the mob action and the resulting property damage.

Olayinka added that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the act of “jungle justice” and the spread of false, unverified information that can create tension and undermine security gains in the state. (NAN)

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