In a disturbing twist of events, a 26-year-old man, Timothy Ashamu, who is accused of stealing several motorcycles in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, has found himself fighting for his life after he was allegedly forced to ingest a poisonous substance in what police suspect was an act of revenge.
Ashamu, who reportedly confessed to stealing more than three motorcycles, was allegedly attacked by three individuals at a farm in Oke-Odan. The suspects reportedly forced him to swallow a substance suspected to be Gamaline, leaving him in need of urgent medical attention.
But just when his life appeared to be hanging in the balance, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command intervened, rescuing him and rushing him to a hospital in Owode-Yewa, where he is currently receiving treatment and responding.
The incident reportedly followed an earlier robbery allegation in October 2026, when Ashamu allegedly dispossessed one Adetunji Vincent of his Bajaj motorcycle along Agosu Road, Oke-Odan.
Police investigations further revealed that Ashamu allegedly admitted to stealing more than three motorcycles, reportedly using dangerous objects, including hammers, sticks and cutlasses, to dispossess unsuspecting victims.
However, his alleged criminal activities did not give anyone the right to take the law into their own hands.
Following his rescue, detectives obtained useful information from Ashamu and proceeded to Ihunbo, where they arrested one Abiodun Oniyide, popularly known as Aje Alaje. The victim reportedly identified him as one of the individuals allegedly involved in forcing the substance down his throat.
A container suspected to have contained the substance was also recovered as an exhibit.
While Oniyide remains in police custody, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other suspects allegedly involved in the attack. The case is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation.
Beyond the allegations of motorcycle theft and attempted poisoning, the incident raises an important question about justice and the growing danger of taking the law into one’s hands.
Even when someone is suspected of committing a crime, that person remains entitled to the protection of the law. Suspected criminals must be arrested and prosecuted, not subjected to torture, poisoning or other forms of unlawful punishment.
For Ashamu, the experience has been a frightening reversal of circumstances: a man accused of taking other people’s property has now become a victim of an alleged attack that nearly cost him his life.
The Ogun State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, regardless of the allegations against individuals, while urging residents to report criminal activities rather than resort to jungle justice.
The message is clear: Crime must be punished through the law, not through revenge.
