Ogun Police Rescue Suspected Motorcycle Thief Forced to Drink Poison, Arrest One Suspect

Police hunt two others after 26-year-old man allegedly subjected to jungle justice over motorcycle theft allegations in Yewa South

A disturbing case of alleged jungle justice has emerged in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, where a 26-year-old man, identified as Timothy Ashamu, was reportedly forced to swallow a poisonous substance by three individuals over allegations of motorcycle theft.

Ashamu, who was allegedly accused of stealing several motorcycles from residents, was rescued by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command after the attackers reportedly forced him to ingest a substance suspected to be Gamaline, a pesticide commonly used in agricultural activities.

The incident has triggered fresh concerns over the growing tendency of individuals and aggrieved communities to take the law into their own hands, particularly when dealing with suspected criminals.

According to information released by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the incident was connected to an alleged robbery in October 2026, during which Ashamu reportedly dispossessed one Adetunji Vincent of his Bajaj motorcycle along Agosu Road, Oke-Odan.

Further police investigations reportedly indicated that Ashamu confessed to stealing more than three motorcycles, allegedly using dangerous objects, including hammers, sticks and cutlasses, to dispossess his victims.

However, what began as allegations of criminal activities reportedly took a dangerous turn when Ashamu was allegedly accosted by three individuals at a farm in Oke-Odan, where they forced him to swallow the suspected poisonous substance in an apparent act of retaliation.

The situation was subsequently brought to the attention of the Police, prompting detectives attached to the Owode-Yewa Divisional Police Headquarters to mobilise and rescue the victim.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Owode-Yewa for medical attention, with the Police confirming that he was responding to treatment.

Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Container

Following the rescue operation, detectives reportedly acted on information provided by Ashamu and proceeded to Ihunbo, where they arrested one Abiodun Oniyide, popularly known as Aje Alaje.

The victim subsequently identified Oniyide as one of the individuals allegedly involved in forcing the substance down his throat.

The Police also recovered a container suspected to have contained the poisonous substance as an exhibit to aid the ongoing investigation.

Oniyide remains in Police custody, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other individuals allegedly involved in the attack.

Further reports on Tuesday indicated that the police were seeking two other suspects in connection with the incident.

The Command disclosed that the case was being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for a discreet and comprehensive investigation.

Police Warn Against Jungle Justice

Reacting to the development, the Ogun State Police Command condemned the alleged attack, stressing that suspicion of criminal involvement does not give anyone the authority to inflict punishment or attempt to take another person’s life.

Babaseyi maintained that the protection of human life remained a fundamental responsibility of the police, irrespective of an individual’s alleged criminal history.

He emphasised that criminal allegations must be addressed through lawful arrest, investigation and prosecution rather than retaliation, torture or extrajudicial punishment.

According to the Police spokesperson, the incident reinforces the importance of professional policing and the need to protect every life, including those of individuals suspected of committing serious offences.

The Command consequently appealed to residents to promptly report criminal activities to security agencies rather than resorting to mob action or other forms of self-help.

The Bigger Concern: Justice Must Not Become Revenge

Beyond the circumstances surrounding Ashamu’s rescue, the incident raises important questions about community security, public anger and the limits of citizens’ responses to suspected criminal activities.

Residents who have suffered motorcycle theft and other forms of robbery deserve protection, security and access to justice. Equally, suspected offenders must be subjected to established legal procedures rather than arbitrary punishment.

While the alleged confession and other accusations against Ashamu require thorough investigation, the alleged decision by private individuals to force a potentially lethal substance down his throat represents a separate and equally serious matter for the authorities.

For the victims of motorcycle theft, justice means recovering their property and ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted. For Ashamu, it means receiving appropriate medical attention and having the allegations against him determined through due process.

As investigations continue, the Ogun State Police Command faces the responsibility of ensuring that everyone connected to the incident is brought before the law.

The development once again underscores a fundamental principle: nobody should be allowed to administer punishment simply because they believe another person is guilty.

Global Mirror News reports that the fight against crime must be pursued without compromising the rule of law, human dignity and the right to life.