Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A United States-based medical doctor narrowly escaped mob violence in Ibadan after residents mistakenly accused him of kidnapping two teenage girls, leading to the destruction of his vehicle before police intervention.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday that the incident occurred around the 2nd Powerline area in Ologuneru along the Eleyele-Ido Road, where an angry crowd attempted to attack the doctor following rumours that circulated on social media.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, officers were deployed to the scene after receiving reports that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched by a mob.
“Upon receipt of the information, a combined team of Patrol and Detective Officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer, Eleyele Police Station, immediately mobilized to the scene where the suspect was successfully rescued from the enraged crowd,” the statement said.
The police added that before officers arrived, the mob had already set the victim’s Lexus RX 330 SUV ablaze.
“However, before the arrival of the Police, his Lexus RX 330 SUV had already been 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 equally taken into protective custody alongside the suspect for proper investigation,” the statement added.
Investigations later revealed that the victim, identified as Dr. Afolabi, is a medical practitioner based in the United States and not a kidnapper as alleged in viral reports.
“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,” the police stated.
According to the command, Mrs. Idowu Abimbola later appeared before investigators and confirmed the arrangement, while the two girls also corroborated the account.
“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,” the statement added.
Police authorities explained that the misunderstanding began after Dr. Afolabi was stopped at the Polytechnic gate for a routine vehicle inspection by a security guard, an incident that reportedly triggered suspicion and escalated into a false kidnapping alarm.
The command warned residents against spreading unverified information or engaging in jungle justice, urging members of the public to always report suspicious activities to security agencies for proper investigation.
