Angry mob attacks police station over farmer’s death in Ondo, 14 arrested

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects following an attack on a police station and a rescue team by an angry mob over the death of a farmer in Ala, Akure North Local Government Area of the state

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

According to the PPRO, the farmer, identified as Rasheed Hassan, was reportedly murdered at General Camp in the Government Reserve area.

The police said that Ala Youth President, Ayodele Fabunmi, arrested two suspects in connection with the murder on October 26 and was taking them to the police station when an angry mob confronted him, demanding that the suspects be handed over for jungle justice.

Fabunmi reportedly sought refuge at the Ala Divisional Police Headquarters with the suspects, but the mob pursued them and attacked the facility. 

Two police officers sustained gunshot injuries during the incident, while the two suspects earlier arrested in connection with the farmer’s murder were rescued from the mob attempting to lynch them.

"The Ondo State Police Command has condemned a violent mob attack in Ala, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, following an attempt by an angry crowd to take the law into its own hands over the suspected murder of a farmer,” the statement read.

"The incident followed the murder of one Rasheed Hassan, a farmer, whose death was reported to the police on October 24, 2026, from General Camp in the Government Reserve area. 

"Upon receiving the report, police operatives visited the scene and recovered the victim’s body.

"Preliminary observations revealed deep cuts to the victim’s head and other parts of his body, while his belongings were reportedly missing. Investigations immediately commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing.

"In connection with the incident, the Ala Youth President reportedly arrested two suspects on October 26, 2026.

"While conveying the suspects to the police station for necessary action, he was confronted by an angry mob demanding that the suspects be handed over for extrajudicial killing.

"He subsequently sought refuge at the Ala Divisional Police Headquarters with the suspects. However, the mob pursued them and launched an attack on the police facility.

"The mob reportedly became increasingly violent, throwing stones and other dangerous objects at the station while resisting efforts by police rescue teams to gain access to the area.

"In response to the escalating violence, tactical and other rescue teams were deployed to restore order and protect lives. 

"At about 0145 hours on October 27, 2026, police operatives successfully rescued the two suspects from the mob.

"However, the patrol team conveying the suspects back to Akure came under attack. During the incident, two police officers sustained gunshot injuries from pellets allegedly fired from a youth pump-action firearm. The injured officers were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

"Following the attack, operatives of the Command arrested Fourteen (14) suspects in connection with the assault on police officers and the attack on the police facility and rescue team.

"Investigations are ongoing to establish the individual roles of those arrested and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.

“The Command has maintained tactical deployment in the area to prevent any further breakdown of law and order. Normalcy has since returned to the community, while security monitoring continues.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, condemned the attack on police officers and the police facility, describing mob action and attempts to obstruct lawful police operations as unacceptable.

He reiterated that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the gravity of any alleged crime. 

The CP warned that the Command would not tolerate attacks on police facilities, assaults on officers or any attempt to undermine lawful police operations.

The Commissioner of Police further assured residents that the circumstances surrounding the farmer’s death and the violence that followed were being thoroughly investigated.