Skip to main content

We Applied Force But Didn't Shoot Protesting Youths - Police

"Recall that on that fateful day, the students occupied the premises of the Governor's Office, chanting solidarity songs. They did not stop at that but also charged menacingly at workers and visitors going in and coming out of the governor's office.

Image

The Ondo State Police Command has said it applied "minimum force" to disperse Ilaje youths from who besieged the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu's office recently. 

On Monday, the youths under the aegis of Ilaje Advancements Forum (IAF) had blocked the way into the governor's office in protest against the state government's handling of the agency, Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC). 

The youths were later dispersed by anti-riot policemen who used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

The police spokesperson in the state, Femi Joseph, however, said in a statement: "Recall that on that fateful day, the students occupied the premises of the Governor's Office, chanting solidarity songs. They did not stop at that but also charged menacingly at workers and visitors going in and coming out of the governor's office.

"They subjected innocent people to all manner of embarrassment. Every attempt to placate them to be courteous and civil in their approach was rebuffed as these young men remained intransigent and obstinate."

He continued: "When they eventually became unruly and uncontrollable by continually behaving in a manner that could lead to a breakdown of law and order, the police were left with no option but to use minimum force to disperse them. In doing this, no single shot was fired.

"Consequently, the general public is enjoined to disregard the 'shooting theory'."