Tension gripped the Moniya community in Ibadan on Tuesday following a clash between police officers and suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys.”
The incident, which occurred at the Moniya
Motor Park, resulted in the death of a police officer while several others
sustained injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation
began when police officers mounted a roadblock during a search and stop operation
along the Ijaye-Iseyin road.
In an attempt to escape, one of the suspected
Yahoo Boys allegedly shot at the police officers, but the bullet misfired and
hit one of the officers, leading to his death.
Following the incident, economic activities in
the area were paralyzed as shops, the Moniya Butchers Market and the garage
were all locked. Fearful residents also stayed indoors to avoid arrest.
One resident, Nurudeen Aponmode, reported
that the deceased officer’s colleagues fired several gunshots and tear gas
canisters into the air while returning to their office, to scare onlookers.
headquarters, Eleyele, were later deployed to
the scene to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations
Officer (PPRO), Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the death of the police officer, who
he said was attacked by hoodlums during the lawful discharge of his duty on the
road.
The PPRO also stated that the police officers
were on a mission to stop and check the alleged driver of an SUV car, based on
credible intelligence obtained through visible policing duties.
However, the driver of the SUV car refused to
comply, leading to a chase by the police officers, which ended at the garage
where the hoodlums were waiting.
According to the PPRO, “the hoodlums attacked
the officers unprovoked and attempted forcefully dragging a rifle from one of
the officers which led to a shot being discharged from the barrel during the
process of the struggle.”
He added that the deceased officer paid the
ultimate price, suffering a fatal blow to his skull inflicted by one of the
hoodlums while preventing them from dispossessing him of his firearm.
The body of the deceased officer has since
been deposited at the State Morgue for post-mortem examination, while seven
suspects have been arrested, and twelve motorcycles impounded in connection
with the incident.
In another development, the Commissioner of
Police (CP) has ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the arrest of a journalist and Oyo State correspondent of
Silverbird Television, John Alabi, who was allegedly apprehended by police
operatives during 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 CP urged residents to go about their
lawful businesses without fear of harassment or molestation.
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