Get Guardian on GoogleA 26-year-old man, Timothy Ashamu, who allegedly confessed to stealing more than three motorcycles, has been rescued by police after he was reportedly forced to ingest a substance suspected to be Gamaline in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The Ogun State Police Command said detectives attached to the Owode-Yewa Division rescued Ashamu and rushed him to a hospital, where he is receiving treatment and responding.
The police public relations officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that the incident reportedly followed a motorcycle theft allegation dating back to October 2026, when Ashamu was accused of dispossessing one Adetunji Vincent of his Bajaj motorcycle along Agosu Road, Oke-Odan.
He stated that further investigations allegedly revealed that Ashamu confessed to stealing more than three motorcycles, using weapons including hammers, sticks and cutlasses to dispossess his victims.
The image maker noted that suspect was subsequently attacked at a farm in Oke-Odan by three individuals who allegedly forced him to swallow a substance suspected to be Gamaline, in what investigators believe may have been an act of retaliation.
According to him, “Following a report of the incident, detectives from the Owode-Yewa Division moved swiftly to rescue him and secure medical attention.”
“Acting on information provided by Ashamu, the police subsequently travelled to Ihunbo, where they arrested one Abiodun Oniyide, popularly known as Aje Alaje.”
Babaseyi added that the victim reportedly identified Oniyide as one of the individuals allegedly involved in forcing the substance down his throat.
Police said a container suspected to have held Gamaline was recovered as an exhibit.
He explained that the arrested suspect remains in custody, while efforts are underway to apprehend the two other individuals allegedly involved in the attack.
The command said preparations were also being made to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation.
The police stressed that an individual’s alleged involvement in criminal activities does not justify subjecting them to torture, poisoning or any form of unlawful punishment.
Babaseyi maintained that suspected offenders must be dealt with through lawful arrest, investigation and prosecution rather than retaliatory attacks.
The command urged residents to report criminal activities to the police and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
He reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, investigating reported crimes and ensuring that justice is pursued irrespective of the allegations against any individual.
The incident has again raised concerns about jungle justice and the dangers of allowing private individuals to take the law into their own hands.
