Police confirm attack on Divisional Hqtrs, death of DCO, civilian in Oyo

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Ibadan— Hoodlums attacked the Iganna Divisional Police Headquarters on Tuesday night, according to the Oyo State Police Command.

Adewale Osifeso, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the attack in Ibadan yesterday, saying the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, and a suspect in police custody were slain during the invasion.

Osifeso said the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, had ordered full-scale investigations into the matter with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, leading the team.

He said arrest had been made and updates would be provided accordingly.

He said: “The Oyo State Police Command under the leadership of CP Williams has promised to make examples of the masterminds of the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of life of an officer and a male civilian with two others seriously injured on Tuesday

“Preliminary investigation revealed that in compliance with the stop-and-search directive on unregistered motorcycles and overcrowded pillions to reduce the spate of robberies and abductions in the axis, operatives of the command attached to Iganna Divisional Police Headquarters, while on legitimate duties along Elejoka-Igangan Road, Iwajowa Local Government Area, were attacked by hoodlums, who were clearly opposed not only to the directive but as well the relative tranquillity in the axis.

“In furtherance of the foregoing, and to emphasize their point, the officers were attacked unprovoked by the assailants, resulting in the death of the Divisional Crime Officer and a civilian in custody while repelling the hoodlums from invading the Divisional Police Headquarters at Iganna after forcing their way into the town.”

“Also, a Divisional Police officer and a Police Inspector were injured by machete slashes and are being treated at a government medical facility.”