Some aggrieved youths in Ile-Ife, Osun state have accused the officers of the State Police Command of extorting them to the sum of 1.5 million naira before the death of their colleague identified as Olufemi Oriyomi, a suspect who reportedly died in the Police custody recently.
Recall that IFECITYBLOG had reported that some angry youths in the ancient town on Saturday protested the death of a middle-aged colleague whom they alleged died in the Police custody following his arrest alongside two other suspects for alleged ritual killing.
The Police had in a release on Friday denied a responsibility for the death, noting instead that the suspect in question fell sick in the course of investigation and was rushed to the hospital where he later died.
The release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP Yemisi Opalola said, "The Osun State Police Command in its efforts to sanitize the State from incessant ritual killings and other vices; has arrested three young men for ritual killings. They are: Olayade Kehinde 'M' 25yrs, Olufemi Oriyomi 'M' 21yrs and Raimi Sheriff 'M' 21yrs.
"The brief fact of the case is that, on the 7th April, 2022 at about 1100hrs along Osogbo/OAU Ife Campus Road, the Police detectives on 'stop and search' duty accosted three men on motorcycle, they were flagged down, but rather than stop, sped off, and were pursued. They were eventually arrested at Safejo area of Ile-ife, and while searching, human heart, which they claimed was one of their friend's and various criminal charms were found on them.
"Meanwhile, as discreet investigation still ongoing, one of the suspects named Olufemi Oriyomi fell sick and was taken to hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, he died while on admission and the corpse has been deposited at State hospital for autopsy. The remaining two suspects will be charged to Court upon conclusion of investigation."
Following the news of the death of their colleague, the youths reportedly mobilised and staged a protest in front of the palace of the Ooni to register their displeasure over the alleged killing.
One of the friends of the deceased named Bisi while protesting told our correspondent that the Police was responsible for the death of Oriyomi, whom he alleged died from the impact of the severe torture while in the Police custody after himself and other colleagues raised and paid over 1.5 million naira to bail their friends.
According to the source, the Police had demanded for more money which they told them they could not afford.
“Last week Thursday, we got informed that three of our brothers who stay around Olubuse area were arrested SARS officers and we must raise monies for their bail.
“We raised and paid over #1.5 million to the police, but we were asked to add more which we told them we could not afford. While begging the police to release them to us because they are not criminals, we learnt that the police forced them to stay inside a container of water and insert electric shock inside it to hurt them as torture which led to Oriyomi’s death.", he said.
Addressing the youths on behalf of the Ooni, the Sarun of Ife, Chief Oyeyemi Oriowo called on the youths to exercise caution in making their grievances known.
“Like you know that the Ooni is always protective of the youths, please allow Baba to step in and I assure you that everything will be resolved in no time. Violence won’t profit anyone, Ife belongs to all of us and we must always think of development and peace of the land.” Chief Oriowo admonished.
The protesting youths were however not too comfortable with the response they got as they demanded for the Police to produce the officers behind the arrest and torture of their friend, leading to his death.
They continued their agitation on Saturday morning occupying some streets in the town especially Moore and Iloro where the Division A and C of the police command are situated during which another person was reportedly shot dead by the Police which further escalated the situation.
The police had equally in a statement denied the death of any protester. The Force in a statement by its spokesperson, Opalola however admitted that one person was shot in an effort to dispatch them but did not die.
“Some police operatives were passing through the area in show of force on Saturday, when some protesters pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.
“They even shot at them. Police operatives involved were trying to protect themselves and one of the youths was shot. He was injured. He is being treated in a hospital. He is not dead.”
Meanwhile, the State Government had reacted to the ugly development. In a release on Saturday, signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, the government called for calm in the affected area, noting that investigations have been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate situation.
"The violence sparked off by the face-off between the men of Nigerian Police Force and the youths of Iloro area of Ile-Ife, has come to the notice of the government of Osun State, and it is using this opportunity to appeal to the youths and residents of the town to give peace a chance.
"The government has ordered an immediate investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the violence, especially the alleged death of a detained suspect and shooting by men of the Nigerian Police at unarmed youths.
"In the meantime, residents of the area are urged not to take laws into their hands by hurting more people or destroying properties.
"We implore our citizens to embrace peace and shun violence, in the spirit of this solemn season", the statement read.
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