1 shot dead as rampaging thugs attack policemen in Osun

THERE was commotion in Oke-Baale area of Osogbo, capital of Osun State on Sunday, when some rampaging thugs allegedly attacked police patrol team that were in the area in response to a distress call over the breakdown of law and order.

Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the thugs were said to have allegedly attacked the police patrol team with dangerous weapons and subsequently damaged their patrol vehicle.

In the ensuing melee, one of the thugs, identified as Segun Emir was allegedly shot by a policeman around Gbeja football pitch, in Oke Baale, thus causing tension in the community.

A credible source, who pleaded anonymity informed our correspondent that the victim was allegedly shot in the chest when he and other thugs attacked the policemen after a heated argument.

The source further hinted that the deceased was rushed to a private hospital near the scene of the incident but was rejected due to the severity of injuries he sustained.

Efforts made to save his life by rushing him to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) Osogbo were unsuccessful as he was confirmed dead by the time he was brought to the hospital.

As of the time of filing this report the scene of the incident and the neighbouring areas have been barricaded by stern looking polciemen, just as two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were permanently stationed to maintain peace.

When contacted, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye assured that nolmacly had been restored in the areas, saying that he had ordered full scale investigation into the incident.

He, however, disclosed that “the details about the incident is still sketchy, but a policeman has been arrested and detained in connection to the alleged shooting of one of the thugs.

But, while giving an an insight into what led to the riot, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of Osun State Police command, Mrs Folasade Odoro explained that the deceased was among the touts that attacked a police patrol team and prevented the policemen from rescuing some people who made a distress call to the police.

Odoro said “we received a distress call that over 50 thugs led by Akaje, Ora and Epo were harassing innocent people at Aloyunkewu, Imole n fe Alaafia street, Lion Junction, Ori Eeru, Oke Allahu all at Oke Baale area in Osogbo and that peoples’ lives were in danger.”

“Policemen were swiftly deployed to the scene to rescue people and when the police patrol team got there, the thugs attacked the policemen with dangerous weapons. The Commissioner of Police in the state; Mr Fimihan Adeoye has ordered a full scale investigation into the matter,” she posited.