Tension has gripped Ifonyintedo community in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State after police officers allegedly shot dead a young man identified as Owolabi Oniyiku during a checkpoint encounter.
Oniyiku was reportedly shot in the chest on Wednesday, August 19, by officers attached to the Idiroko Border Patrol Team.
According to reports, Oniyiku had returned home to celebrate the Oro festival with family and friends. He was reportedly taking a friend to Ilashe Garage on his motorcycle when they encountered a police roadblock.
Sources said he stopped after seeing some friends whose motorcycles had allegedly been seized by the officers and pleaded for one of the bikes to be released. An argument reportedly followed, during which an officer allegedly shot him in the chest.
He reportedly died at the scene.
The killing sparked protests by youths in the community, who allegedly attacked and burnt a police station before taking Oniyiku’s corpse to the Idiroko Area Command while demanding justice.
The incident reportedly followed an earlier attack in which a police checkpoint was set ablaze, prompting security operatives to mount a roadblock in the area.
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Confirming the incident, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the officers involved had been arrested and that the command had commenced an investigation.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ipokia, condemned the alleged killing and called for an independent investigation.
The group also demanded a review of checkpoints in the area, alleging that residents had faced harassment, repeated stops and demands for money by security operatives.
The council urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and the Idiroko Area Command to provide a clear account of the incident and take steps to restore peace in the community.
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