Residents of Adekile, Orita Aperin in the heart of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, now sleep with their eyes wide open––no thanks to the flooding of the community with policemen by the State Police Command in search of the killers of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO)attached to the area. He was shot dead by an unknown gunman last Wednesday. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports that businesses in the area have virtually grinded to a halt.
Oyo state Police Command was thrown into mourning Wednesday, last week when one of its finest officers, a Chief Superintendent of Police was shot dead by an unknown gunman at Adekile, Orita Aperin, in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of the state during a mass protest by residents over the activities of an alleged kidnapper believed to be operating from the area.
Since the incident which led to the death of the CSP (Ike Nworgu), who was the Divisional Police Officer attached to the Agugu Police Station (covering the area), residents of Adekile, especially the males, have been living in fear as the police intensify efforts to apprehend the killer(s). Security has been beefed up in and around the area as more policemen have been deployed there by the command. Business and other commercial activities have almost been grounded due to the presence of the policemen in the area.
Many residents have fled the area to other parts of the city, leaving the once bubbling community deserted. There was panic in the air, with the few people left behind consciously looking for places to hide away from the prying eyes of policemen.
Particularly hit hard by the presence of the policemen are male residents who are being targeted by the security men with the hope that they may hold the clue to where the culprits may be found. Only the females were allowed unfettered access but not without scrutiny. And for the male, he must possess valuable evidence to prove his innocence.
At a point toward Elekuro area, when The Nation visited the area, everybody was asked to put their hands up while passing through police check. Many suspects, including the principal suspect have been arrested, according to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu. He however, refused to disclose the identity of the principal suspect in order not to hamper ongoing investigation.
In what looks like a declaration of dusk to dawn curfew, the entire community was quiet and deserted when The Nation visited during the Easter holidays as there were little or no economic activities in the area.
Social life has also been affected as most of the residents stayed indoors during the Easter festivities as they could not afford to go out to celebrate as usual during such occasions due to the pervading insecurity in the area..
The incident that led to the killing of the DPO began last Wednesday evening when a group of miscreants, led by some armed members of a local vigilante group, inciting other members of the community, vandalised a house in the area on suspicion that kidnapped victims were kept there by the house owner.
Before the incident occurred, some law abiding residents, it was learnt had alerted the police when the rumoured kidnapper’s den became more pronounced in the community, especially after it was discovered that three wells were dug in the premises.
Tension however rose after the police, who stormed the house acting on the information, left with the owner without any substantial discovery. This infuriated the residents who believed the police did not carry out a thorough search of the house. They thereafter took the law into their hands.
According to one of the residents who simply gave his name as Baba Jamiu said, “The police were called to a property in Adekile area after residents alleged that the owner dug three wells in the premises which they found suspicious. However, the police did not find anything but they left with the owner. The residents then had the belief that the police were protecting the owner. They rained stones on the police and injured one of them. They also descended on the house damaging the property with rocks.”
The rampaging hoodlums, later went for the life of the house owner, but could not apprehend him.
The building, after a futile search for ‘kidnapped victims’ and other occupants, was vandalized and razed down along with two other houses.
Investigation revealed that the trigger happy miscreant who opened fire on the police officer belonged to a vigilante group in the area under the umbrella of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) which claimed to be providing security in the area.
“That is the only problem we have been having in this area. They call themselves different names, but we know they are OPC members and the community most times engage them as vigilante. Instead of doing the work of a true vigilante, they will be moving from one place to the other causing trouble and smoking Indian hemp and drinking paraga (local herbal mixture prepared with hot drinks)). They are the ones that caused this trouble, first by peddling an unfounded rumour about kidnappers’ den, and then killing an innocent and gentle police officer . Now, they are not the only ones suffering but the entire community because since the incident happened, every activity has been paralysed. Many have abandoned their houses and fled to evade police arrest. We pray that all those responsible will pay dearly for their sins”, Mr Ayodele Gbadamosi, a retired civil servant who lives in the area told The Nation.
The state police Commissioner, Mr Katsina Mohammed, visibly disturbed by the incident has vowed to ensure that all those involved in the killing of the CSP would face the full wrath of the law.
Shortly after the disturbance, the Police commissioner together with the state governor Abiola Ajimobi visited the scene of the crime.
According to the police boss, the slain police officer had gone to Adekile in response to a distress call by one of the residents who alleged that her baby was kidnapped and kept inside a particular building in the area.
He said the DPO had visited the area and inspected the building in question but could not find anything related to the lodged complaint, but while he was explaining to the youths in the area to remain calm as further investigation would be carried out, the DPO was attacked and shot in the head.
Mr. Katsina explained that the DPO, being a gallant officer before he fell to the miscreants’ bullets, also managed to fire at his attacker who also died on the way to the hospital.
He thereafter reiterated the commitment of the police force to ensure that all culprits in the DPO attack were arrested to face the wrath of the Law.
The entire Adekile, Orita Aperin and Elekuro areas are still under a close watch of armed police men while no fewer than 21 suspects were said to have been arrested.
The state governor Abiola Ajimobi, while speaking on the incident harped on the need for peace and security for meaningful development to take place.
He also appealed to the people of the state to avoid violence in all its ramifications as no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.
The governor pledged his support to the police force to ensure that the perpetrators of the devilish act are brought to book.
Effort to reach the wife of the slain DPO was not successful as she was yet to arrive the country from the United States of America where she resides with his children.
