Irate youths in Ifon community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Sunday, set a police station in the community on fire over the alleged killing of a boy who was allegedly tortured to death in police custody.
The youths who invaded the police station were protesting the death of their friend but became enraged after learning that another victim was in a coma in a hospital after being tortured by the police at the same station.
Angered by the development, the youths were said to have chased the policemen on duty and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on duty out of the station and set the station ablaze.
It was gathered that some young men were involved in a fight on Valentine’s Day and one party reported the incident at the police station, leading to the arrest of two people who were eventually detained.
A source within the community said the two young men arrested were tortured by the police, while one of them died in the police cell, the other boy was rushed to hospital after being in a coma.
However, the group who lost their friends mobilised to the police station, expressing their displeasure over the death of the boy and the torture of the other young man in a coma.
The police officers on duty were said to have appealed to the angry mob who chased them away, including the Divisional Police Officer, from the station and torched the station.
The source, however, said a team of policemen was deployed to the area to restore order, but the protesting youths resisted them and one of the protesting youths was allegedly shot.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, who visited the area for an on-the-spot assessment, has ordered an investigation into the matter to determine the circumstances that led to the incident and to bring those responsible to justice.
The Commissioner of Police, in the course of his visit, met with the Chairman of the Local Government, community leaders and other stakeholders in the community.
In his address, the Commissioner of Police, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, commiserated with the family of the deceased and condemned the attack on the station as he vowed that such acts of lawlessness will not be tolerated.
The Police boss, who strongly condemned the attack and arson on the Divisional Police station, assured that all those responsible for this criminal act will face the full weight of the law.
The Police command urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their hands, and said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
The police investigation, however, revealed that the incident began on 15th February 2025 when a dispute between two families on Ogbomo Street, Ifon, escalated into a public fight.
According to the police report, “Officers from Ifon Division, led by an Inspector, responded promptly, moved to the scene, intervened, and made arrests while some suspects fled.
“Later, one Tobi Bobade, one of the young men involved in the fight, was brought to the station by one Mr Losilosi. He appeared weak and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“He was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment. His remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for a post-mortem examination.
“While officers were at the station, an angry mob, led by the deceased’s father, launched a violent attack on the station. The administrative office, DPO’s office, the station store, and two exhibit vehicles were affected by the inferno caused by the mob.
“Fortunately, no lives were lost in the fire as security personnel acted swiftly and called for reinforcements to secure the premises.”
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