Officers of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have confirmed the arrest of two students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (RUGIPO) in connection with a violent protest that disrupted the peace of the town last week Sunday.
The officers from the ‘B’ Divisional Police Station, Otapete in Owo town of Ondo state, disclosed this latest information to SaharaReporters correspondent on Sunday during a phone chat.
One of the officers who pleaded anonymity identified the arrested students as Dimeji Olasunkanmi and Ojo Ogungbe.
“Both suspects are evening [part-time] students from the Department of Accountancy and Mass Communication of the state-owned institution”, he told SaharaReporters.
He further disclosed that an apprentice in an automobile mechanic workshop in the town was also nabbed in connection with the protest, the student protest led to a clash between the students and police that left many injured and lots of properties destroyed.
Another officer from the station told our correspondent that the suspected students were caught with a locally made gun and charms during a raid at a private hostel opposite the campus gate.
“Through our further investigation- we also learned that one of them is a member of a cult group and son of a famous traditional doctor in the town who had been terrorizing the students community”, the officer said.
Femi Joseph, the Police Spokesman for the Command, couldn’t be reached for immediate comment, but officers close to his office told our correspondent that he had earlier confirmed the arrest.
“The arrested two students with one mechanic in Owo town are currently undergoing interrogation in the custody of the police in our headquarters”, said our police source
He added that the suspects would be arraigned in court after investigation must have been completed.
Last week Sunday, students of the state-owned institution had violently protested against the police over the maltreatment of one of their colleagues reportedly hit by a police vehicle in the town.
During the protest, the enraged students caused pandemonium in the town and vandalized properties including police vehicles parked at the ‘B’ Divisional Police Station in Otapete, Owo.
In retaliation, policemen from the division shot at the protesting students and injured many who are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, files and credentials belonging to the students were destroyed during the melee with the officers.
