The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended two security guards, Segun Sodiya and Segun Abatan, for allegedly setting a 44-year-old man, Basiru Aliu, on fire in the Agura Sabo area of Sagamu, Ogun State.
According to reports, the guards mistook Aliu for a thief when he approached a compound they were tasked with protecting.
The command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, explaining that the victim had been assisting his employer, Fatai Ifekoya, in moving belongings from his former residence to a new location around 7 a.m. on Monday.
During the process, Aliu was reportedly attacked by the guards, who worked for one of the residents, Kingsley Nwabueze. The suspects allegedly poured a flammable substance on Aliu and set him ablaze, under the false assumption that he was attempting to steal the items he was transporting.
Police officers from the Division Crime Office and a patrol team swiftly responded to the scene, rescuing the victim. Aliu was rushed to the Royal Cottage Hospital, Agura Sabo, where he is currently receiving treatment and showing signs of recovery.
Odutola stated that the guards are now in custody and will face charges of attempted murder following the conclusion of investigations by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abeokuta.
She urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to report any suspicious activities to the police rather than resorting to violence.
