By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Osun Police Watch in collaboration with the civil society groups on Friday called on the Osun state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode, to explains why his men embarked on extra judicial killing in the state.
The groups also asked the CP to tell the whole world over killing of one Mr Afolabi Abiola Olamide whom they said was shot in front of his house in capital area, Osogbo, on Sunday around 12:30am.
According to the group while addressing journalists at the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo, the spokesperson, Oluwasegun Idowu said it was sad that the Nigeria Police under the leadership of Olawale Olokode have turned themselves to terror in the state.
His statement reads: “We received with shock on Thursday the news of the alleged shooting of Mr Abiola around 12.30am in front of his house in Capital Area, Osogbo on Sunday. The victim was said to have been shot in the leg by men of the personnel from Housing Police Station, Ring Road, Osogbo, while he was eating indomie with his friend, Matthew (who is currently being detained) and his girlfriend (who was also arrested but has since been released).
“After several interventions, we are shocked that the Osun police Command has since not been able to give any details as to the reason for the shooting or the whereabout of the victim.
“We are aware of the underground moves to accuse the victims of armed robbery so as to justify the shooting whereas there are eye witnesses who may disagree with this idea and we await how this will play out in the court of law and public opinion.
“While we appreciate the efforts of the Police Complaints Response Unit (PCRU) and Mrs Abiodun Ige (Special Adviser to Osun state Governor on security) that has ensured that calm is maintained in the public space in Osogbo, we however have a few questions for the Osun Police Command: What offence did the victims commit that warranted the use of force in their own house as late as 12.30 AM?
“Why have they refused to disclose the whereabouts of Mr Abiola to the family and to lawyers since Sunday when the incident happened?
“Is Mr Abiola still alive? If yes, where is he? And if no, where is the body?
“We condemn in very strong terms the use of excessive force that is now becoming the operational code of the men of Osun command of the Nigeria Police which has resulted in deaths of some citizens of the state. We also condemn the brazen disregard for the rule of law and the provisions of the police act in illegally detaining suspects and denying them their right to a lawyer as constitutionally provided.
The group demanded information on the whereabouts the victim.
“We are by this statement requesting for information on the whereabout of Mr Abiola before the close of business on Friday 8th of April failing which the Osun command must be ready to face legal action and also public action in the same vein as citizens are already prepared to march down to the state command in protest of this disappearance.
“That the detained Mr Matthew be allowed to see a lawyer and the reason for which he was arrested and being detained be made known to him.”
It will be recall that, Osun Police Watch is a collaborative platform set up to combat issues of police brutality. The platform was jointly set up by Nigerian Bar Association (Osogbo Branch), National Human Rights Commission (Osun command) and the Osun civil society organisations in the EndSARS movement.
While reacting on behalf of the Osun State Police Command, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola said “credible intelligence at the disposal of the Command revealed that, some youths, individuals or groups are planning to embark on protest against police carrying out their lawful duties.
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police CP Olawale Olokode, wishes to set the record straight that, on 29th day of March, 2022 at about 02:14am, the Commissioner of Police received a distressed call from a woman around Dada Estate Area of the State, Zone Nine, Behind Capital Hotel, Osogbo, about the activities of some suspected criminals who had jumped into her compound and invaded the premises. Upon the information received the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed officers and men of the Nigerian Police into the area. On sighting the presence of the members of the Nigerian Police they quickly scaled through the fence and ran into the bush. The police chased them but they escaped. They carted away 1 laptop, 5 phones, N300,000.00 and other valuable items. Consequent upon this, the Commissioner of Police increased surveillance and patrol around the area.
“Five days after the above incident that is Monday, 4th day of April, 2022, at about 02:15am, the information received based on intelligence was that some fully armed suspected criminals and hoodlums were holding nocturnal meeting behind a house around the same Dada Estate Area, Zone 11, Behind Capital Hotel, Osogbo, in preparation to perpetrate further criminal activities in the Area. Consequently, the police quickly stormed the area. On sighting the Police, the suspected criminals opened fire on them, police responded accordingly and in the process, one of the suspected criminals was hit and injured, two were arrested, including a lady while others escaped through the bush. Items recovered from the scene of the incident includes: one cut to size single barrel gun, one live and one expended cartridges, Army Camouflage T-shirt, Nigerian Army ID card, charms etc.
“The injured suspected criminal was taken to a hospital for treatment but later died.
“Therefore, the CP wishes to use this medium to warn youths, individuals or groups planning to protest against police executing their lawful duties that the command will continue to work earnestly to ensure public places are not taken over by the criminals or hold the good people of the state hostage by dispossessing them of their properties and other valuables.
“The arrested people are still under interrogation and efforts are being put in place to arrest the other fleeing suspects.
“In view of this, parents and guardians are advised to sternly warn their children or wards against partaking in the planned protest. Also, individuals or groups sponsoring such protest are warned in their interest to stop forthwith as no forms of protest will deter the police from carrying out their legitimate duties as the command will employ all available lawful means to deal with such individuals or groups”.
As at the time of filing this report, some youth based organisations in the state have started protesting over the death of Mr Abiola Afolabi.
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