Two policemen escape death after suspects raise false alarm (Graphic)

Two policemen serving in Ondo State escaped death by the whiskers in the hands of mob in Edo State after some suspects they were pursuing raised an alarm that they were fake policemen.

The suspects, having fled to Ibillo in Akoko-Edo local government area, told residents in the area that the men in police uniform were kidnappers poising to abduct a former council chairman, Folorusho Akerejola.

Without waiting to verify identity of the men even though they wore uniform, a mob descend on them and beat them mercilessly.


It took the intervention of elders in the community for the policemen to be handed over to the police who later identified them.

One of the suspects who the mobbed policemen were pursuing was later arrested.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Nkombe, who reacted to alleged arrest of suspected kidnappers in police uniforms, said both men have been confirmed to be policemen on patrol.

Nkombe said the policemen were attacked after a suspect, who was on the run from a neighbouring state, raised a false alarm that he was being chased by kidnappers.

His words, “They were not kidnappers. They were policemen who pursued a felon into Edo State. It was the person they were pursuing that raised that alarm; the person failed to stop, so he was pursued across the border into Edo State.
“Because he felt that he was in his area in Edo State, he raised an‎ alarm. He was just being mischievous.”

The PPRO said the policemen suffered minor injuries due to the beating and have been released.

“Our men sent for them. They were brought in after they were attacked and it was discovered that they were policemen. It was confirmed from their command and they were released.”
“The felon was invited by the police and he is helping the police in the investigation. It was not a case of kidnapping at all,” Nkombe added.

The Nation