Ogun State Police Command has rescued two police officers who were mistaken for kidnappers and held by residents in Sagamu Local Government Area.
The officers, attached to a Police Mobile Force Squadron in Lagos State, were returning from an official duty in Sagamu when they lost their way. Members of the Kanuyi Community in Simawa apprehended them and accused them of being kidnappers.
A viral video showed the officers sitting on the ground surrounded by an agitated crowd. The footage quickly spread on social media, raising alarm about a supposed kidnapping incident in the area.
Reacting to the incident, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said operatives from the Simawa Division were immediately mobilized to the scene. The officers were rescued from the crowd and taken into protective custody for proper identification.
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Investigations confirmed that the men were serving police officers on lawful duty. Their identities were verified through police identity cards, deployment documents, uniforms, and other service materials. Their parent formation in Lagos also confirmed their status.
Before police arrived, the officers had been searched, photographed, and recorded by residents. Babaseyi said the misleading content was later circulated online, subjecting the officers to needless public suspicion and emotional trauma, though they were not physically harmed.
The command commended residents for their vigilance but warned against mob action. It urged the public to allow security agencies to verify facts before drawing conclusions or sharing unverified information that could endanger innocent people.
Babaseyi noted that the incident highlights the daily challenges and sacrifices security personnel face. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, strengthening community policing, and building public trust through professionalism and prompt response.
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