The Ogun State Police Command has initiated an investigation into the lynching of two suspects over allegations of the murder of 12-year-old Ayomide Agunbiade for ritual purposes in the Odo Alaro area of Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday, News About Nigeria reports.
Omolola Odutola, the command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident and disclosed in an exclusive interview with Punch on Thursday that mob action is a punishable offense under the law.
The tragic incident unfolded after Ayomide Agunbiade went missing on Christmas Day (Monday), which was also his birthday.
According to reports, someone claiming to be his uncle had taken him in the absence of his mother, under the pretext of celebrating his birthday.
When the case of the missing child escalated within the community, a boy who witnessed the moment the missing boy went with his supposed uncle informed the search party.
Upon further interrogation, the uncle confessed to knowing Ayomide’s whereabouts but claimed he had killed him for ritual purposes.
The sight of Ayomide’s condition infuriated the gathered crowd, leading to a mob lynching the suspects before police officers arrived at the scene.
Omolola Odutola said that the police had begun an investigation into the matter, and anyone found culpable would face legal consequences.
She also warned against jungle justice or mob action, stating that the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, remains committed to eliminating criminal elements in the state.
The bodies of the deceased suspects and that of Ayomide have been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.
