Two serving officers of the Nigeria Police Force attached to a Police Mobile Force Squadron in Lagos narrowly escaped being lynched by an angry mob in Ogun State after they were wrongly identified as suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred on Monday in Kanuyi Community, Simawa, located in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. Residents reportedly intercepted the officers and raised an alarm over an alleged kidnapping incident, leading to heightened tension within the community.
Videos and photographs of the officers were subsequently circulated on social media, sparking public concern and widespread speculation that they were involved in criminal activities.
However, the Ogun State Police Command has dismissed the claims, confirming that the two men are serving police officers from Lagos State and not kidnappers.
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, police operatives were immediately dispatched to the area after receiving a distress call about the situation. The officers were rescued from the agitated crowd and taken into protective custody while their identities were verified.
Babaseyi explained that preliminary investigations revealed the men had become stranded after losing their way while returning from an official assignment in Sagamu. Their identities were later confirmed through valid police identification cards, deployment documents, and additional verification from their parent formation in Lagos.
The police spokesperson noted that before security personnel arrived, the officers had already been searched, photographed, and recorded by members of the community. The resulting images and videos were later shared online, creating what the command described as a misleading narrative about the incident.
He warned that sharing unverified information, particularly on security-related matters, could cause unnecessary panic and tarnish the reputation of innocent individuals.
While commending residents for remaining vigilant, the Ogun State Police Command cautioned against resorting to mob justice. The command stressed that public vigilance remains essential in combating crime but must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law.
Residents were advised to report suspicious individuals or activities to security agencies for proper investigation rather than taking matters into their own hands. The police further emphasized that suspects should always be handed over to lawful authorities for verification and investigation instead of being subjected to violence based on mere suspicion.
The command also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified reports on social media, warning that such actions could escalate tensions and put lives at risk.
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