One Killed As Irate Youths Set Ablaze Police Station In Ondo
• CP Visits Community
There is palpable tension in Ifon, headquarters of Ose local government area of Ondo State over the reported death of a youth in the community.
The development, according to community sources resulted in protests and burning of police station and one other house in the town.
Though the cause of the crisis cannot be ascertained at press time, unconfirmed reports have it that a boy was arrested and allegedly tortured to death by the police.
This development was said to have angered youths in the community who protested the killing to the police station, allegedly chased away policemen on duty and set ablaze the police station.
A source in the community said, ” Some young guys fought themselves on Valentine’s day,
A party went to the police station to report the case and it led to the arrest of two guys from the other party. The two arrested guys were brutally tortured, one died yesterday morning in the cell while the other was rushed to the hospital and still in coma as I speak.
” The party who lost their son n friend angrily went to the family house of the guy who reported to the police and razed down the house.
” They went further to Ifon Divisional Police Station, chased away all the officers including the DPO and also burned down the Station.
” Then this morning, they gathered again protesting. A team of police men that was drafted to bring the situation under control met the protesting youth and shot at one of them.”
The state commissioner of police, Wilfred Afolabi on Sunday visited the community with a view to restoring normalcy.
CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, the
Police Public Relations Officer in a statement confirmed that one person was killed in the incident.
The statement reads, ” The CP strongly condemned the attack and arson on the Divisional Police Station and ordered a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the incident and to bring those responsible to justice.
” Preliminary reports indicates that the incident began on 15th February 2025 when a dispute between two families on Ogbomo Street, Ifon, escalated into a public fight. 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 postmortem examination.
” While officers were at the station, angry mob, led by the deceased’s father, launched a violent attack on the station, the administrative office, DPOs office, the station store and two (2) 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.
” 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 commiserate 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. He assured that all those responsible for this criminal act will face the full weight of the law.
” The Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the laws into their hands, Investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as investigation progresses.”
