Police operatives in Ondo State have rescued two suspects accused of murdering a farmer from a mob attack in Ala community, Akure North Local Government Area, with 14 people arrested over the incident.
The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Akure on Wednesday.
Jimoh said the police received a report on October 24 concerning the death of a farmer, Rasheed Hassan, in General Camp, within the Government Reserve Area.
According to him, officers who visited the scene evacuated the farmer’s body, which had deep cuts on the head and other parts. His belongings were also reportedly missing.
The police spokesperson said the Ala Youth President arrested two suspects on October 26 and was taking them to the police station when an irate mob intercepted them and attempted to lynch them.
“At about 01:45 hours on October 27, upon receipt of a distress call, our operatives swiftly moved to the scene and successfully rescued the two suspects from the mob. However, the patrol team conveying the suspects back to Akure came under attack,” Jimoh said.
He added that two police officers sustained gunshot injuries from pellets allegedly fired by a youth using a pump-action firearm.
The injured officers were subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Jimoh said 14 people suspected of participating in the mob action had been arrested, while investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the farmer’s death.
He added that tactical and rescue teams had been deployed to the community to restore order and protect lives and property.
The police spokesperson said normalcy had returned to the area, urging residents to hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution rather than resorting to mob violence.
He assured the public that discreet investigations were ongoing and that justice would be served.