No fewer than two police officers and two protesters were killed in Ojoo area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital while many people were injured on Tuesday when hoodlums set a part of Ojoo police station, Ibadan ablaze.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed this to our correspondent in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Eyewitness told Eko Trust in Ibadan that the fracas started when police approached the protesters to unblock the road in front of their station but the protesters told them it was a national protest against their misdeeds.
The source said in their quest to forcefully unblock the road, the police were attacked and that was what led to the crisis which claimed lives.
Our correspondent who went round Ibadan city, reports that many police stations including area commands were put under lock and key.
Eko Trust reports that Apata and Iyaganku area command, Omi-adio police station, Mokola and Agodi were all locked up.
Following the crisis, the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde deployed the state security group codenamed operation burst to major junctions in the state to maintain law and order.
Makinde in an emergency broadcast, ordered immediate closure of schools in Ibadan for the rest of the week to ensure students are safe in the custody of their parents.
“I have directed that all schools in Ibadan, should be closed from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21 2020 for the rest of this week. The situation will be reviewed on Friday, October 23 2020, and then further directives will be given.
“We will continue to seek ways to engage with peaceful protesters. Our plan is that in the shortest possible time, we can finally say the days of large-scale and wanton police brutality and injustice is a thing of the past. Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of the Nigeria Police Force to remain professional in the discharge of their duties as they will be held responsible for their actions,” he said.
