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IBADAN, OYO STATE — The Oyo State Police Command has officially declared the recent kidnapping alarm raised in the Ologuneru area of Ibadan as false. The incident, which occurred on May 12, 2026, resulted in the near-fatal lynching of an innocent United States-based medical practitioner, identified as Dr. Afolabi, and the destruction of his personal property.
The Incident and Escalation
According to official reports, Dr. Afolabi was driving his Lexus RX 330 SUV through a local checkpoint when a misunderstanding occurred. The vehicle was carrying two female minors. The situation rapidly escalated into mob violence because the two young girls could not communicate in the local language, and Dr. Afolabi was unable to articulate his explanation quickly enough under the mounting pressure of the crowd.
Operating on unverified assumptions, an angry mob dragged the doctor from his vehicle and subjected him to a severe physical assault. The crowd subsequently set his Lexus SUV on fire before operatives from the Oyo State Police Command arrived at the scene to rescue him from being killed.
Police Investigation and Findings
Following his rescue, the police, under the directive of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji, launched a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. The findings categorically cleared Dr. Afolabi of any criminal wrongdoing.
The investigation established the following facts:
- The two minors in the vehicle were identified as Deborah (15) and Rebecca (12).
- The girls were not victims of abduction. They were legally placed in Dr. Afolabi’s care.
- The minors were being transported to assist the doctor’s mother with domestic chores.
- The girls’ recognized guardian, Mrs. Idowu Abimbola, provided an official statement confirming this arrangement.
- Both minors also corroborated the sequence of events, fully supporting the doctor’s account.
Official Police Stance on Mob Violence
The Oyo State Police Command has strongly condemned the resort to jungle justice by residents. The authorities emphasized that this false alarm nearly cost an innocent citizen his life and led to the total loss of his vehicle. The public is strongly advised to hand over all suspected individuals to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Truth Delivered
The rising trend of jungle justice poses a severe threat to a civilized society. Citizens must absolutely refrain from taking the law into their own hands based on mere assumptions, unverified rumors, or simple misunderstandings. The destruction of an innocent man’s property and the severe threat to his life highlight the urgent need for communities to cooperate strictly with constitutional law enforcement agencies.
We strongly urge community leaders to continuously educate residents on the appropriate legal processes for reporting suspicious activities. Whenever there is a security concern, the standard and safest procedure is to immediately alert or hand over individuals to the nearest police station for proper profiling and investigation, rather than resorting to mob violence.
Auditors, your thoughts? How can local communities be better educated to trust the police and eradicate the culture of jungle justice? Leave your comments below.
