Several sympathizers on Thursday protested over the death of a policeman, Mr. Taiwo Agboola, who was killed by a reckless truck driver in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Mr. Agboola was an officer with the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force before his tragic death.
The deceased worked as a traffic warden officer at the Fanibi Divisional Police Station in Akure.
SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Agboola was crushed to death last week while on duty at his post.
Late Agboola popularly called ‘Sambo’ was well known for his artistic-acrobatic style while controlling traffic on the road.
Our correspondent gathered that the driver of the truck loaded with exercise books lost control of his break and rammed into the police officer.
Sources claimed that immediately the incident happened the driver ran away for fear of been lynched.
“He (driver) abandoned the truck and the dying officer,” one of the source said.
SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Agboola later died at the Oludare Private Hospital facility in Akure.
Pained by the sad incident, bereaved protestors blocked the entrance of the Fanibi Divisional Police Station and prevented free entry and access.
They sang dirge and carried placards “demanding for justice” while they also blocked all adjacent routes on the main streets of the police station.
Sympathizers who spoke to our correspondent confirmed that the incident occurred at the champion juncture in Akure.
One of the sympathizers, Iyabo Adegbolu, said late Agboola died on duty and was neglected at the hospital without proper care.
Miss Adegbolu accused the Ondo State Police Command of ignoring the corpse of the deceased after he died at the hospital.
“The Police dumped and neglected his (Agboola) body; he was left uncovered at the hospital since he died.
“They (Police) failed in their responsibility because they didn’t even show concern towards their late colleague" she said.
Angry protestors also brought the corpse of the deceased and dumped it on the symbolic marching arena of the Police Station.
Sympathizers jointly told SaharaReporters that the police authority in the state made no effort to commiserate with the family of the deceased over the sad incident.
“The Police neglected him and failed to give him due financial support and recognition.
“They can't even give out money for his casket and burial, and this is someone who died in the line of duty,” one of them said.
Many of them further accused the police authority in the state of shielding the driver and owner of the truck from being prosecuted.
“What don’t have policemen in this state again because I don’t see a reason while they would allow the owner of the truck offload the content (exercise books) inside the vehicle,” an angry source said.
Mohammed Mahe, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Station who addressed the angry protesters said the police authority in the state is not keeping mute over the tragic incident.
Mr. Mahe added that the police is taking necessary steps to ensure it performs its side of responsibility concerning the death of late Agboola.
“This man is one of the good officers we have in this station, and we are not keeping quiet over his death.
“Have trust in us, we shall give him proper attention, but all we are begging for is your understanding over this issue" he added.
A source confirmed that the wife and children of the deceased have been taken outside the state for proper care.[slideshow]49460[/slideshow]