The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a United States-based medical doctor from a mob attack in Ibadan after he was wrongly accused of involvement in a kidnapping incident.

The incident occurred on Monday at the Second Powerline area of Ologuneru along the Eleyele–Ido Road.

Residents reportedly raised a distress alert alleging that a suspected kidnapper was about to be lynched by an angry mob.

A combined team of patrol and detective officers led by the Divisional Crime Officer of the Eleyele Police Station swiftly responded to the scene and rescued the suspect from the crowd.

However, before the arrival of the police, the victim’s Lexus RX 330 SUV had been set ablaze by the mob.

Two girls found inside the vehicle, identified as Deborah, 15, and Rebecca, 12, were also taken into protective custody alongside the suspect for investigation.

Preliminary police findings identified the victim as Dr Afolabi, a medical practitioner based in the United States, dismissing earlier viral social media claims linking him to kidnapping.

The command stated that the two girls had been lawfully entrusted to the doctor by one Mrs Idowu Abimbola, 56, of the Eleyele area, to be taken to his mother for assistance with domestic chores.

Police said Mrs Abimbola later confirmed the arrangement during questioning, while the girls also corroborated her account.

According to the police, the misunderstanding began when Dr Afolabi attempted to pass through the Polytechnic gate, where he was stopped for a routine vehicle inspection by security operatives.

Suspicion reportedly arose after the vehicle window was lowered and the two girls were seen inside, while the doctor was said to have failed to give satisfactory explanations at the scene.

The situation was further heightened when the children were unable to communicate fluently in either English or the local language, triggering fears of abduction among bystanders.

The tension later escalated into a mob chase during which the doctor was intercepted, assaulted, and his vehicle set ablaze before police intervention restored order.

He was subsequently taken to the Police Medical Services for treatment and is said to be responding.

The police added that statements had been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an okada rider injured during the incident, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the mob action and destruction of property.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, condemned the incident, describing jungle justice and the spread of unverified information as threats to public order and security.

He warned against mob action and misinformation, noting that such conduct undermines public safety and ongoing gains in crime control within the state.

The police commissioner ordered a full investigation into the incident and directed the arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the attack.

The command urged residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to security agencies rather than resorting to self-help or violence.

ALSO, the Delta State Police Command has launched investigations aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in child stealing and illegal child trafficking following the rescue of abducted children and arrest of suspects in separate operations in Warri and Effurun.

Operatives of the Quick Response Squad (QRS) in Warri rescued a two-year-old child suspected of being abducted and prevented the lynching of a suspect at Igbudu Market, Warri, on Monday, May 10, 2026.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Fejiro Obaduemu of Idesor Street, Isi Layout, Warri, was reportedly apprehended by vigilant residents while carrying the child concealed in a sack bag.

Before the suspect could be harmed by the mob, QRS operatives intervened, rescued both the suspect and the child, and took them to safety.

Police said the suspect, who sustained injuries during the attack, received treatment at the police clinic in Warri before being taken into custody for further investigation.

Further investigation conducted on May 11, 2026, led to the successful tracing of the child’s parents, after which the child was formally reunited with the family in the presence of leaders of the Hausa community in Warri.

According to the police, the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation that he had been sent by an unidentified person in Warri to steal the child.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting children and combating human trafficking and related crimes.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.