By Our Reporter
There is currently confusion and breakdown of law and order in Ifon, headquarters of Ose local government area of Ondo State following a protest by some angry youths in the area who allegedly set ablaze the police station in the town.
SUNSHINETRUTH News gathered that
though the cause of the crisis can not be ascertained immediately, but it was learnt that a boy was arrested and allegedly tortured to death by policemen at the station.
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.
Another account indicates that some young individuals got into a fight on Valentine’s Day.
One party went to the police station to report the incident, which led to the arrest of two members of the opposing group.
These two arrested individuals were brutally tortured; tragically, one died in his cell yesterday morning, while the other was rushed to the hospital and still in coma.
The group that lost their friend and family member reacted angrily by going to the home of the individual who reported them to the police, where they set the house ablaze.
They then proceeded to the Ifon Divisional Police Station, where they chased away all the officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, and ultimately set the station on fire.
This morning, the group gathered again to protest.
When a team of policemen was dispatched to restore order, they encountered the protesting youth and shot one of them.
The state commissioner of police, Wilfred Olatokunbo Afolabi is said to have visited the scene to restore normalcy, as confirmed by the state Police public relations officer, Funmilayo Odunlami.
PRESS RELEASE
ARSON : CP WILFRED AFOLABI VISITS IFON FOR AN ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT, CONDEMNS ATTACK ON POLICE STATION, HOUSES etc
…Orders Investigation into the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, psc+, mnips, has visited Ifon for an on the spot assessment of areas affected in the attack by some members of the community.
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.
E-signed
CSP. Funmilayo Odunlami, mnipr,
Police Public Relations Officer,
For:- Commissioner of Police,
Ondo State Command ,
Akure.
