The Osun State Police Command has said it has arrested officers of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, who allegedly shot a 30-year-old resident of Iwo in the state, Tunde Nafiu.
The Police Commissioner in the State, Fimihan Adeoye made this known in a release issued weekend by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs,Folashade Odoro.
The release stated that 31 out of the residents who went on rampage to protest the killing of Nafiu were arrested for allgedly torching the Area Commander’s Office in the town.
Also, the police promised to investigate the matter and punish the erring officer.
CP Adeoye said he personally visited the family of the deceased to pay condolences on behalf of the Inspector General of Police Mr Idris Abubakar and had assured the bereaved of justice.
The release reads in part: “on 23/8/2018, at about 2200hrs, information was received that an operative of the Special Anti Robbery Squad attached to the Area Command Headquaters, Iwo allegedly shot and fatally wounded one Tunde Nafiu ‘m’, aged 30 years at Agboigboro in Iwo.
“The Area Commander immediately moved out, doused the tension and assured the gathered youths that justice will be done. The officer that allegedly fire the shot that killed the deceased was promptly arrested and transferred to the SCIID, Osogbo for interrogation.
“In the early hours of 24/8/2018, a very large crowd of youths thronged the Area Command Headquarters to protest the killing. The protest was however hijacked by some hoodlums who took the law into their hands.
*In the process they torched the buildings housing the offices and residence of the Area Commander as well as three patrol vans and two other vehicles belonging to the officers of the Area Command.
“The Police exercised serious restraint in order to prevent further loss of lives. However the hoodlums were eventually dispersed while 31 of them were arrested and undergoing interrogation.
“The situation has been brought under control while people are going about their lawful businesses.
“The Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye visited the scene for on the spot assessment and reassured members of the public that the erring officer will be made to face the full wrath of the law. He also advised that people should endeavour to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully even when showing their grievances.
He however lamented the havoc visited on the facilities within the premises of the Area Command Headquaters and commended the officers and men for resisting every temptation to open fire on the rampaging youths.
He went further to impress it on members of the public that the Inspector-General of Police is a strict respecter of human rights and that the IGP in his determination to reposition the Force for efficient service delivery has put in place many capacity building and enhancement programmes.
The statement added that the IGP has also ensured increased partnership with relevant NGOs, Human Rights Advocates and the international community in his desire to ensuring that the officers and men of the Nigeria Police discharge their statutory duties in strict adherence to internationally accepted best practices.
“The Commissioner of Police also visited the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi. His Imperial Majesty immensely commended the Police for exercising restraint despite the very unruly behaviour of the rampaging youths.
“He also thanked the Police for all efforts aimed at stemming the rate of crime in Iwo and environs. The royal father informed the Commissioner of Police that an alternative accomodation has been provided to house the Area Command Headquaters while immediate steps will be taken by the community to renovate the torched facilities. In his response, the Commissioner of Police thanked the Royal Father for his constant support to the Police.
He went ahead to state that the deployment of a team of the Special Anti Robbery Squad was to reinforce the Command’s fight against the incessant cases of robbery in Iwo and environs.
He said he was pleased that the efforts of the Police had yielded positive results as the rate of robbery and other allied offences had greatly reduced.
He also informed the Oba that the SARS in the Command has added great value to its operations and cited the example of the recovery of fifty six (56) stolen assorted brands of Toyota vehicles by the Squad and the arrest of every member of the robbery gang.
“The Commissioner of Police thereafter visited the parents of the late Tunde Nafiu at their residence in Ile-Ogbo to convey the condolence message of the Inspector-General of Police to the family.
“The family and other sympathisers were reassured of the resolve of the IGP to ensure that justice will not only be served, but will be seen to have been served,
Situation in Iwo and the State remains calm but being closely monitored.”
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