The Ogun State Police Command has rescued a 26-year-old man, Timothy Ashamu, from an alleged poisoning attack in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area, and arrested one suspect in connection with the incident. Ashamu, who is suspected of stealing more than three motorcycles, was allegedly forced to ingest a substance suspected to be Gamaline by three individuals in what police described as a retaliatory attack.
According to the police, the incident followed a robbery allegation in October 2026 involving Ashamu and Adetunji Vincent, who was reportedly dispossessed of his Bajaj motorcycle along Agosu Road in Oke-Odan. Further investigations revealed that Ashamu allegedly confessed to stealing more than three motorcycles, using weapons including hammers, sticks, and cutlasses to dispossess his victims.
Following these allegations, Ashamu was allegedly attacked by three individuals who accosted him at a farm in Oke-Odan and forced him to ingest the suspected poisonous substance. Detectives attached to the Owode-Yewa Division responded swiftly to the report, rescued Ashamu, and rushed him to a hospital in Owode-Yewa for medical attention. As of the time of the report, the police confirmed that the victim was responding to treatment.
Information obtained from Ashamu led detectives to Ihunbo, where Abiodun Oniyide, popularly known as Aje Alaje, was arrested. The victim reportedly identified Oniyide as one of those allegedly involved in forcing the substance down his throat. Police also recovered a container suspected to have contained Gamaline as an exhibit, while Oniyide remains in custody. Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend the other individuals allegedly involved in the attack.
The command stated that the case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation. In a statement reacting to the incident, the police stressed that the protection of human life remains a fundamental responsibility of the Force, irrespective of allegations against an individual.
Suspicion of criminal activity did not give anyone the right to take the law into their hands. Criminal allegations should be addressed through lawful arrest, investigation and prosecution rather than retaliation, torture or extrajudicial punishment.
The police urged residents to report criminal activities to the appropriate authorities and to shun "jungle justice" and other forms of self-help. The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, investigating criminal activities, and ensuring that suspects are brought to justice through due process.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
