Two Lagos Police Officers Mistaken For Kidnappers Escape Being Lynched By Mob

Two serving officers of the Nigeria Police Force attached to a Police Mobile Force Squadron in Lagos State narrowly escaped a mob attack in Ogun State after they were mistakenly identified as suspected kidnappers.

Naija News learnt that the incident occurred on Monday at Kanuyi Community in Simawa, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, where residents reportedly apprehended the officers and raised an alarm over alleged kidnapping activity.

The situation caused tension in the community as videos and photographs of the officers were later circulated on social media, fuelling speculation and public concern.

However, the Ogun State Police Command has clarified that the two men were not kidnappers but serving police officers from Lagos State.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene after the command received a distress report.

Babaseyi said the officers were rescued from an agitated crowd and taken into protective custody for proper verification.

According to him, preliminary investigation showed that the men were serving police officers who had lost their way while returning from an official duty in Sagamu.

He explained that their identities were confirmed through valid police identity cards, deployment documents and further verification from their parent formation in Lagos State.

The police spokesperson said the officers were mistakenly profiled as kidnappers by some members of the public before security operatives arrived at the scene.

He noted that before the intervention of the command, the officers had already been searched, photographed and recorded by residents.

The images and videos were later shared on social media, leading to what the command described as misleading narratives about the incident.

Babaseyi said the circulation of such materials without verification could cause panic and damage the reputation of innocent persons.

The Ogun State Police Command commended residents for being vigilant but warned against taking the law into their own hands.

The command said public vigilance was important in fighting crime but must be exercised responsibly and within the law.

It urged residents to always report suspicious persons or activities to security agencies for proper investigation instead of resorting to mob action.

The police stressed that suspects must be handed over to lawful authorities for verification and investigation, rather than being subjected to violence based on suspicion.

The command also appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, especially in matters involving security, as such actions could heighten tension and endanger lives.