Police and hoodlums clash in Ibadan, 2 dead

Two persons were killed, yesterday, in a bloody clash involving policemen and some hoodlums at the popular Oje market in Ibadan.

Two policemen were also injured during the crisis that engulfed the area.

At press time, the injured policemen were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital following a mob attack.

The state Public Relations Officer, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor confirmed the incident. Information gathered that some drivers and hoodlums engaged in a brawl when the latter attempted to extort the motorists.

On a tip-off, policemen at Agugu, led by their Divisional Police Officer,  ASP Timothy Adedeji went to the scene. In the process, it was gathered that the crowd booed the policemen and attempted to attack them. This, as stated by a source, made the policemen to fire warning shots to scare them.
It was gathered that it was during the chaotic situation a bullet hit a man and was said to have died instantly.

The mob was said to have attacked the policemen injuring them in the process and took away their rifles.

Speaking on the incident, the police spokesman said; “The mob later regrouped and went to Agugu Division apparently to attack the station. The situation was brought under control through reinforcement.”

Additional information had it that the policemen later saw the stolen rifle and tried to retrieve it.
This was said to have been resisted by the mob which allegedly  fired shots at the policemen.
According to reports, the stray bullet from the hoodlums hit a passer-by and the person also died. The situation has since been brought under control.

“The police command has gone into the matter. We are currently investigating the incident. If the policemen in question are found to have misused their firearms, we have disciplinary measures through which erring policemen are brought to book,” PPRO said.

Vanguard