By Desire Emmanuel
It was the timely arrival of men of the Oyo State Police Command that saved a medical doctor based in the United States from being lynched to death by a mob who falsely accused him of kidnapping at a community in Ibadan, the state capital.
Incidentally, the vehicle of the medical doctor, a Lexus, was set ablaze by the mob while the children found in the vehicle which made the mob to attack him were later discovered to belong to one of his relations.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 12, May 2026 around 2:30 p.m. at the 2nd Powerline Area, Ologuneru, along Ido Road.
The rescue by the police followed a distress call received from concerned citizens alleging that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob.
Upon receipt of the information, a combined team of patrol and detective officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer, Eleyele Police Station (DCO), raced to the scene where the doctor was rescued from the enraged crowd.
However, before the arrival of the police, his Lexus RX 330 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 for proper investigation.
However, a preliminary investigation by the police subsequently revealed that the victim, identified as Dr. Afolabi, is a medical doctor practicing in the United States of America and not a kidnapper as falsely alleged.
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 doctor’s mother for the purpose of assisting with household chores.
According to a statement by the command on Wednesday, May 13, 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 by the police revealed that the false alarm that triggered the attack began when Dr. Afolabi attempted to gain access through the gate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, 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 doctor’s alleged 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 development consequently led to a chase of the doctor’s vehicle and eventual interception by irate youths who reportedly ignored all explanations offered by him and descended heavily on him, inflicting severe bodily injuries before the timely intervention of the police.
After his rescue, the doctor was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Services facility for urgent medical attention and is currently responding to treatment.
“Meanwhile, statements have been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an Okada rider allegedly hit during the ensuing confusion, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob action and destruction of property,” the statement by the command added.
