Two serving police officers from Lagos State narrowly escaped being lynched by a mob in Ogun State after they were mistakenly identified as suspected kidnappers by residents of Kanuyi Community in Simawa, Sagamu Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Monday when the officers were reportedly intercepted by locals who raised alarm over what they believed was suspicious movement linked to kidnapping activities. The situation quickly escalated as an angry crowd gathered, with videos and images of the men later circulating on social media, further fueling tension and speculation.
However, the Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that the individuals were not criminals but serving officers attached to a Police Mobile Force Squadron in Lagos State.
According to police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene following a distress call and were able to rescue the officers from the agitated crowd before they were harmed.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the officers had lost their way while returning from an official assignment in Sagamu. Their identities were later verified through valid police identification cards, deployment documents, and confirmation from their parent unit in Lagos State.
The command noted that the officers had already been searched, photographed, and recorded by some members of the public before police intervention, a development that contributed to the spread of misleading narratives on social media.
While commending residents for remaining vigilant, the police cautioned against mob action, stressing the importance of proper verification and lawful procedures when dealing with suspected security threats. Authorities say such incidents highlight the dangers of misinformation and the need for greater public trust in security processes.
