It was learnt that an operative attached to Moniya Area Command under the state police command was killed during a clash that erupted between the security operatives and some suspected internet fraudsters, also known as ‘Yahoo Boys’.
Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a police officer who died during a clash on Tuesday between hoodlums and police at Moniya in the state capital – Ibadan.
It was learnt that an operative attached to Moniya Area Command under the state police command was killed during a clash that erupted between the security operatives and some suspected internet fraudsters, also known as ‘Yahoo Boys’.
The hoodlums who were in an ash-coloured Lexus 350 SUV with a faintly worn-off number plate were said to have attacked a team of policemen while on duty around a major blackspot.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, noted that the body of the deceased had since been deposited at the State Morgue for post-mortem.
Osifeso affirmed that seven persons have been arrested and that 12 motorcycles have been impounded in connection with the incident.
He said, "Today, being Tuesday 25/04/2023 at about 1015hrs, Operatives attached to Moniya Area Command under the Oyo State Police Command while on lawful intelligence led Stop and Search around a Major Black-spot were attacked in the line of duty.
"Preliminary Investigation reveals that the Patrol team while acting on credible intelligence through visible policing duties extended their presence around major black spots, highways and major roads under Akinyele Local Government Area Axis in a bid to deter criminal elements from settling and establishing dominance within the location.
"In furtherance of the above, the team of operatives on patrol led by one Inspr Stanley Ikhine, flagged-down an Ash colored Lexus 350 Jeep with a faintly inscribed worn-off number further arousing suspicion from the Officers on watch.
"In the process, the vehicle initially slowed down in compliance with the directive before eventually picking up speed and dashing off to evade the officers on duty.
"This action led to a chase by the officers in a bid to establish further clarity of facts.
"A few meters away from the initial stoppage point, the Lexus Jeep veered off the road to a nearby garage, driving directly into the waiting hands of hoodlums who were also collaborators in the criminal process, thereby not only obstructing the officers from discharging their duties but as well aiding the escape of the SUV and its Occupants.
"Consequent on the above, the hoodlums attacked the Officers unprovoked and attempted forcefully dragging a rifle from one of the officers which led to a shot been discharged from the barrel during the process of the struggle.
"Sadly, the gallant officer paid the supreme price, suffering a heavy blow to his skull inflicted by one of the hoodlums while preventing them from dispossessing him of his firearm.”
"The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the State Morgue for Post-mortem while (7) Seven persons have been arrested alongside (12 ) Twelve Motorcycles impounded in connection with the incident," the statement added.