OYO POLICE RESCUE US-BASED DOCTOR FROM MOB OVER FALSE KIDNAPPING ALARM
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a United States–based medical doctor from a violent mob attack in Ibadan after a false kidnapping allegation sparked panic in the area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said the incident occurred on Monday around 2:30 p.m. at the 2nd Powerline Area, Ologuneru, along the Eleyele–Ido Road.
Police said officers responded to a distress call reporting that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched and set ablaze by an angry crowd.
A combined team of patrol and detective officers, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of the Eleyele Police Station, was immediately deployed to the scene, where the suspect was rescued from the mob.
However, before officers arrived, the suspect’s Lexus RX 330 SUV had already been set on fire. Two young girls, identified as Deborah (15) and Rebecca (12), who were found inside the vehicle, were also taken into protective custody alongside the suspect.
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Preliminary investigations later identified the victim as Dr. Afolabi, a medical practitioner based in the United States, who was wrongly accused of kidnapping following viral social media claims.
Police further explained that the girls were not abducted, but had been lawfully taken from one Mrs. Idowu Abimbola of the Eleyele area to assist with household chores at the doctor’s mother’s residence, a claim both the woman and the children later confirmed.
According to the statement, the confusion began when Dr. Afolabi attempted to pass through a Polytechnic gate and was stopped for routine vehicle inspection by security personnel.
Suspicion reportedly arose after the vehicle window was lowered and the girls were seen partially undressed, while the doctor also failed to provide clear explanations at the scene and attempted to leave the checkpoint.
The situation escalated when the children were unable to communicate effectively in the local language or English, further fueling allegations of kidnapping.
An enraged mob subsequently attacked the doctor, damaging his vehicle and inflicting serious injuries before police intervened and rescued him.
He was taken to the Police Medical Services for treatment and is said to be responding to care.
The police confirmed that statements have been taken from witnesses, including an okada rider injured during the incident, while efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the mob action and destruction of property.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the attack and warned against jungle justice and the spread of unverified information on social media, adding that all suspects involved will be prosecuted.
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