By Our Reporter
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four persons over the alleged assault and public humiliation of a resident whose video was recorded and circulated on social media, warning members of the public against jungle justice, cyberbullying and unlawful public parading of suspects.
The Command said it had commenced an investigation into allegations of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and cyberbullying following the complaint of one Boluwaji Temidayo.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the complainant reported at the Okuta Elerinla Police Station on Thursday, July 23, 2026, that he was assaulted by a group of persons who allegedly attacked him physically, recorded the incident without his consent and uploaded the video on various social media platforms.
The complainant said the incident occurred on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
The Police said operatives immediately launched a discreet, technology-driven forensic investigation, deploying digital intelligence and other investigative tools to identify those responsible for the alleged assault and the unlawful circulation of the 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 in police custody and have made useful confessional statements, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices connected with the incident.
The Police added that all those found culpable would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
The Command condemned what it described as the disturbing trend 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 increasing practice of recording such incidents and sharing the videos on social media to ridicule, intimidate or incite public hatred against individuals.
The Police reminded residents that every person, whether accused or suspected of an offence, enjoys constitutional rights guaranteed under Nigerian law, stressing that suspicion or allegation 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 violence or self-help. It also cautioned against recording, publishing or circulating defamatory, misleading or malicious content capable of violating another person’s rights 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, ensuring the impartial enforcement of the law 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 carry out their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that justice is best served through lawful procedures rather than violence, intimidation or trial by social media.
