In Kanuyi community, Simawa, Ogun State, two mobile police officers lost their way and were mistaken for kidnappers by local residents.
A false rumour almost led to mob violence against them, but they managed to escape.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, said the officers had finished an assignment in Sagamu and were heading back to Lagos when residents, feeling suspicious, blocked their way.
The crowd searched the officers, took photos and videos, and shared the images online with misleading captions that made them look like criminals.
Other police officers arrived quickly and rescued the two before things got worse. Authorities later confirmed they were real members of the Nigeria Police Force with valid ID cards, deployment papers, and service materials.
The mob did not hurt the officers, but the experience left them shaken. Authorities warned that false information can lead to mob actions that put innocent people or security staff at risk.
The Command thanked residents for being alert but asked them to be careful and only trust information from official sources.
“This incident shows the sacrifices security personnel make every day and highlights why the public and law enforcement need to work together,” the statement read.
Officials warned people not to take the law into their own hands or spread unverified content on social media. They said that false information can quickly damage trust and ruin reputations.
