By Our Reporter
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four persons over the alleged assault of a resident and the unlawful recording and circulation of a video of the incident on social media, while condemning the growing trend of jungle justice, cyberbullying and public humiliation of suspects.
The Command said it had commenced an investigation into allegations of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and cyberbullying following the reported attack on one Boluwaji Temidayo, whose video was allegedly recorded and shared online without his consent.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the complainant reported the incident at the Okuta Elerinla Police Station on July 23, 2026, alleging that he was physically assaulted by a group of persons on July 21 before the incident was filmed and uploaded on various social media platforms.
The Police said operatives immediately launched a technology-driven forensic investigation, deploying digital intelligence and other investigative tools to identify those involved in the assault and the dissemination of the viral video.
The investigation led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Gbemisola Ariyo, Babatunde Eniola, Adams Tobiloba and Fasusi Bunmi.
According to the Command, the suspects are currently in police custody and have made useful confessional statements, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices linked to the incident.
The Police added that all those found culpable would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Command strongly condemned what it described as the increasing practice of members of the public taking the law into their own hands by assaulting, molesting, humiliating or publicly parading persons suspected of committing offences.
It also expressed concern over the growing trend of recording such incidents and sharing the videos on social media to ridicule, intimidate or incite hatred against individuals.
The Police reminded residents that every person, whether accused or merely suspected of an offence, is entitled to constitutional rights guaranteed under Nigerian law, stressing that suspicion does not amount to guilt.
The statement warned that no individual or group has the legal authority to subject another person to physical assault, public humiliation or any form of extrajudicial punishment.
The Command advised residents to report suspected offenders to the nearest police station rather than resort to self-help or mob action. It also cautioned against recording, publishing or circulating defamatory, misleading or malicious content capable of violating the rights of others or obstructing ongoing investigations, noting that such actions could attract criminal liability under existing cybercrime laws.
Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of all residents, enforcing the law impartially and prosecuting anyone found to have violated the rights and dignity of others.
He urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, exercise restraint and allow law enforcement agencies to perform their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that justice is best served through due process rather than violence, intimidation or trial by social media.
