On Tuesday, a police officer was attacked and killed by suspected hoodlums while on lawful duty along Ijaiye-Ibadan Road in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. Following the incident, the Oyo State Police Command arrested seven suspects and impounded 12 motorcycles in connection with the crime.
According to the State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso, the incident occurred when operatives under the Command were on lawful intelligence-led Stop and Search around a major black-spot. In the process, they flagged down an Ash colored Lexus 350 Jeep with a faintly inscribed worn-off number, arousing suspicion from the officers on watch.
The vehicle initially complied with the officers’ directive to stop but eventually picked up speed and evaded the officers on duty. A few meters away from the initial stoppage point, the jeep veered off the road into a nearby garage, driving directly into the waiting hands of hoodlums who obstructed the officers from discharging their duties and aided the escape of the SUV and its occupants.
The hoodlums attacked the officers unprovoked and attempted to forcefully drag a rifle from one of the officers, which led to a shot being discharged from the barrel during the struggle. Unfortunately, the officer paid the ultimate price, suffering a heavy blow to his skull inflicted by one of the hoodlums while preventing them from dispossessing him of his firearm.
The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident and disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the patrol team, while acting on credible intelligence through visible policing duties, extended their presence around major black spots, highways, and major roads under the Akinyele Local Government Area axis to deter criminal elements from settling and establishing dominance within the location.
While expressing the Command’s respect and cordiality for the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Commissioner of Police (CP) has ordered a discreet investigation into the arrest of Mr John Alabi, the Oyo State Correspondent of Silverbird Television, who was allegedly apprehended by operatives in the heat of the incident. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (DC SCID) has been assigned to take over the case for detailed investigations.
The Command advised members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment or molestation. The body of the deceased has been deposited at a morgue for post-mortem. The Command promised to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice and ensure that such attacks do not recur