A suspected motorcycle thief is receiving hospital treatment after three men allegedly forced him to swallow a substance believed to be poisonous in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, in what police described as a possible act of retaliation.
The victim, identified as Timothy Ashamu, was reportedly confronted at a farm by the men, who accused him of stealing a Bajaj motorcycle belonging to Adetunji Vincent along Agosu Road, Oke-Odan, in October.
The attack has raised fresh concerns about mob violence and the growing danger of residents taking the law into their own hands, even when suspects face serious allegations of criminal activity.
Police spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the assailants allegedly forced Ashamu to ingest a substance suspected to be Gamaline.
He said detectives from the Owode-Yewa Division rescued the victim after receiving information about the incident and rushed him to a hospital in Owode-Yewa.
Ashamu is responding to treatment, the police spokesperson confirmed.
However, the investigation has also uncovered allegations against the rescued man. Babaseyi said further police enquiries indicated that Ashamu had confessed to stealing more than three motorcycles.
He allegedly used hammers, sticks and cutlasses to dispossess victims of their property.
The allegations have not been tested in court, but they form part of the police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
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Following information supplied by Ashamu, detectives travelled to Ihunbo and arrested Abiodun Oniyide, popularly known as Aje Alaje. The victim reportedly identified him as one of the people involved in forcing the substance into his mouth.
Police also recovered a container suspected to have held the substance as an exhibit. Oniyide is in custody, while investigators are pursuing other alleged participants.
The case is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran for further investigation.
Beyond the arrests, the incident highlights a dangerous contradiction in community responses to suspected crime. Residents have a legitimate interest in protecting their lives and property, particularly where motorcycle theft threatens livelihoods.
But assaulting, poisoning or torturing a suspect is a separate criminal act that cannot be justified by an allegation of theft.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, every person is entitled to dignity and protection from torture or inhuman treatment. The right applies to criminal suspects as well as other citizens. A suspect’s guilt must be established through investigation and a fair trial, not punishment imposed by a crowd.
The Ogun Police Command has therefore called on residents to report suspected criminal activities and allow law enforcement agencies to handle arrests and prosecution.
“Criminality must be addressed through lawful arrest, investigation and prosecution, never through retaliation, torture or attempted murder,” Babaseyi said.
The police investigation must now establish the exact substance administered, the roles of those involved and whether additional offences were committed. The findings will be crucial in determining the appropriate charges against anyone found culpable.
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