Policemen In Oyo Wear Plain Clothes To Hide Identities
A yet-to-be identified man was said to have died on Sunday when armed
thugs attacked Mokola police station, Ibadan.
The victim was reportedly killed by a stray bullet that rent the air
during the attack. But, another information gathered had it that fresh crisis
erupted after the man was allegedly killed at Inalende area of Ibadan. The
corpse was taken to Mokola police station by the angry youth and were making
efforts to burn the station. The hoodlums were said to have tried to set the
police station ablaze but met stiff resistance by youths in the area who did
all they could to prevent the arsonists.
As of the time of filing
this report, it was yet to be clarified whether the stray bullet was fired by
security agents or not. It was the prompt response of the men of joint security
team codenamed Operation Burst that restored sanity. Speaking on a private
radio in Ibadan, the Director General of Operation Burst, Col. Oladipo Ajibola
(rtd), confirmed the incident but was quick to say that there was no casualty
and normalcy had returned to the ever busy Mokola roundabout.
Privy to the earlier
threats by the hoodlums, some policemen were seen on Friday surrounding the
police station firing warning shots intermittently to scare the hoodlums.
Since the protests started, no fewer than five policemen have died. The
Commissioner of police, Mr Joe Nwachuwu, in a statement few days ago did not
give any specific number.
At Mokola roundabout, an officer in white shirt and blue jeans was seen firing
warning shots by the fence. Also, all the traffic wardens have vacated most
junctions where they control traffic. Their duties have been taken over by some
youth in plain clothes. They were sighted at Sango, Mokola roundabout,
University of Ibadan gates, Ajibode junctions and others. When asked how they operate,
a source from the police who preferred anonymity told Vanguard, “no policeman
needs be told to take caution now. We wear plain clothes performing our duties.
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