Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Commissioner of Police Oyo State Police Command, CP. Shina T. Olukolu has denied story widely being reported by some media houses and online publications that Police personnel in Oyo town shot and killed three persons.
The report said violence occurred upon the seeming inability of the Fire Service to deal with the fire incident that destroyed the Akesan market in Oyo town.
The fire incident was allegedly allowed to fester unattended which led to a substantial part of the market being burnt, according to reports.
However, the Commissioner of Police stated categorically that contrary to the widely spread rumour of Police killings that, there was no single shot fired by the Police personnel deployed proactively and professionally to provide security at the scene of the fire incident at Akesan market in Oyo town.
According to SP. Fadeyi Olugbenga Police Public Relations Officer Oyo State Police Command, “Instead, the Police personnel under the able supervision of DPO Durbar and Area Commander, Oyo Area Command prevented hoodlums and mob from attacking the Oyo State Government Fire Station in the town as well as the Durbar Police Station, Oyo from being set ablaze.
Olugbenga said that rather adequate security measures was provided at the market to deter hoodlums massed at the scene of the fire incident in the early hours of the day (at about 2:30 AM) from capitalizing on the situation to loot shops and properties at the scene.
“But, at about 0700 hrs, a report was received at the Durbar Police Station by the DPO that a sister security agency have arrived at the scene of the incident to assist in the provision of security.
Unfortunately, gunshots rang out from their direction skywards. But, unfortunately, one Warred Aderoju Akano ‘male’ aged 14 yrs was allegedly hit and died while three others namely, (i) Jimoh Idris ‘male’ age 14 yrs, (ii) Sulu Qudinai ‘male’ 20 yrs, and Wasiu Taiwo ‘male’ age 21 yrs also sustained gunshot injuries and are currently recuperating in an hospital in Oyo town.” the Police said.
The CP therefore commiserated with the families of the deceased and injured as well as sympathizes with all those that their shops were raced down by the inferno at Akesan market in Oyo town.
He urge them to be calm and not to take laws into their hands while the Police State CID will investigate and get to the root of the unfortunate incident.
He reminded all the good people of Oyo State to endeavour to switch off all electrical appliances when not in use or when they are out of their various dwelling houses, to prevent electrical upsurge and sparks that may eventually lead to fire outbreak and destruction of lives and property and even loss of lives like in the case at Akesan market and the furniture factory at Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The CP seized the opportunity further assure all and sundry in Oyo State that adequate security measures have been emplaced to professionally prevent any breakdown of law and order in the State.
The Police enjoined the public to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation from any individuals, persons, or groups while decrying the sudden increase in fire incidents in the State and the need to be more careful in their daily activities to stem the tide.
