By Ibidapo Olowolayemo, Ibadan.
Monday February 17, 2025
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Youths in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have chased away policemen at the divisional police station in the town and set the station ablaze.
Residents said the crisis emanated from a disagreement between two groups of youths on Friday, Valentine’s Day.
One of the groups involved was said to have reported the case at the police station, and two members of the other group were arrested by the police.
Unfortunately, one of the arrested died from police torture while the other was hospitalized.
This development was said to have angered some youths in the community who protested at the police station and allegedly chased away policemen on duty and set the station ablaze.
It was gathered that the protest continued on Sunday morning, and this prompted the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilfred Afolabi, to visit the town.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Funmilayo Odunlami, in a statement, explained the genesis of the crisis: “Preliminary reports indicate that the incident began on 15th February 2025, when a dispute between two families on Ogbomo Street, Ifon, escalated into a public fight. Officers from the Ifon Division, led by an Inspector, responded promptly, moved to the scene, intervened, and made arrests while some suspects fled.
“Later, one Tobi Bobade, one of the young men involved in the fight, was brought to the station by one Mr. Losilosi. He appeared weak and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. He was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment. His remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for a postmortem examination.
“While officers were at the station, an angry mob, led by the deceased’s father, launched a violent attack on the station, the administrative office, DPOs office, the station store, and two exhibit vehicles were affected by the inferno caused by the mob.
“Fortunately, no lives were lost in the fire as security personnel acted swiftly and called for reinforcements to secure the premises,” she said.
The state police commissioner also warned that such acts of lawlessness would not be tolerated in the state anymore, adding that the perpetrators would be brought to book.
“The Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking laws into their hands. Investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” the statement said.
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