Oyo State Police Command has denied rumours that its officers were involved in a shooting incident with a corps member, describing the report as mischievous.
A statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, stated that the preliminary investigations conducted by officers revealed that it was a case involving a reckless driving Corps member and some officers that were on stop and-search-duty along the New Garage-Ibadan-Ijebu- Ode Road.
The statement explained that Preliminary investigations and independent eye witness accounts revealed that a Corps member drove recklessly in the company of his colleagues and refused to stop while returning from their Community Development Service (CDS) in a White tinted Toyota Camry with Reg No ABY 237 along the Black Horse axis, New Garage, Off Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road.
The corps member however, drove in the direction of the Officers, and knocked down, one Sgt Agbadahun Bright.
In his attempt to escape, he drove off towards the direction of other incoming vehicles then ran into a Tricycle where the Policemen caught up with him.
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On sighting his other colleagues, he immediately raised a false alarm that he had been shot by the Police Officers thus inciting the other corps members to go on a rampage by blocking the road and other adjoining routes
The statement further maintained that no shot was fired at the scene by any officer(s) before or after the incident rather the violent corps members smashed the side mirrors of the Officer’s Operational Vehicle, broke its windscreen, and deflated all its tyres.
The corps members then attacked Sgt Agbadahun Bright and stabbed his right cheek with a sharp object.
The officer was immediately rescued by swift Police reinforcement and is presently receiving medical attention.
The Commissioner of Police however wishes to state that while being civil and professional in the discharge of their duties as expected, Officers and Men of the Command would no longer condone acts of hostility from members of the public.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing and updates would be provided in due course.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe