The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Wilfred Afolabi, has strongly condemned the attack and burning of the divisional police station in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area, by some irate youths.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Akure by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, the CP ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
Afolabi, who visited Ifon for an on-the-spot assessment, met with the local government chairman, community leaders, and other stakeholders to address the situation.
According to preliminary findings, the crisis erupted on February 15, 2025, following a dispute between two families on Ogbomo Street, Ifon, which escalated into a public fight.
Officers from the Ifon division, led by an inspector, responded promptly, intervened, and arrested some suspects while others managed to escape.
The PPRO explained that later, one of the young men involved in the fight, Tobi Bobade, was brought to the police station by a man identified as Mr. Losilosi.
Upon arrival, Bobade appeared weak and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. However, he was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment. His remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for a post-mortem examination.
Following his death, an enraged mob, reportedly led by Bobade’s father, stormed the police station, setting parts of the facility ablaze. The administrative office, the Divisional Police Officer’s (DPO) office, the station’s store, and two exhibit vehicles were destroyed in the inferno.
Fortunately, no lives were lost, as security personnel acted swiftly and called for reinforcements to secure the premises.
While commiserating with the deceased’s family on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Afolabi condemned the attack on the station, emphasizing that such acts of lawlessness would not be tolerated.
He assured that all those responsible for the attack would face the full force of the law and urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.