••• Radio Presenter Also Thoroughly Beaten
| The Daily Crucible | Friday, July 22, 2022
By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Hoodlums battling to shield wanted cultists from being arrested by security operatives have battered one of the security agents attached to the Anti - cultists unit of the Ogun State Police Command, inflicting grave wounds on him.
The hoodlums wielding dangerous weapons also attacked a Police Divisional Headquarters at Enugada in Ago Ika area of Abeokuta, the state capital but they were successfully repelled by policemen.
The incident happened on Thursday and for hours, tension, commotion and apprehension gripped residents of the area as policemen applied minimum force to restore order.
In the ensuing mileu, the hoodlums wrested from the Police, one of the suspected cultists simply known as "Akuko Beggar" who was earlier arrested.
Trouble started when the Police Anti - Cult Unit stormed the Ago - Ika area in bid to arrest suspected cultists who were said to be meeting in an uncompleted building within the vicinity.
As soon as they were arrested, some of their members around the place mobilised the neighbourhood's roughnecks and launched an attack on the police team.
They also set free "Akuko Beggar" after inflicting several machete cut injuries on one of the policemen, but the other suspect identified as Slim cash was taken to custody.
Three persons were said to have been struck by stray bullets in the process.
A radio presenter with Abeokuta based FM radio station who was detailed to the scene ostensibly to cover the incident was thoroughly beaten allegedly by the police even after he had identified himself as a journalist.
One of the victims identified as Sadiat, 17, and the only daughter of her mother was said to be walking home when the bullets fired by security operatives hit her.
Sadiat believed to be a student of Unity High School, Ago Ika, was rushed to Federal Medical Center (FMC), Idi - Aba, Abeokuta and she is responding to treatment according to sources close to the health facility. The wounded policeman is also receiving treatment at the same facility.
Reacting to the incident on Friday in a statement, Police Spokesperson in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi stated: "The attention of Ogun state Police Command has been drawn to some newspaper headlines in respect of the crisis that erupted on Thursday 21st of July 2022 at Enugada area of Abeokuta between policemen attached to Anti cultists unit of the command and some cult members.
Some Media houses have gone to town with different narratives which is contrary to the true position of the incident.
To set the record straight, the incident happened when the anti cultists team were on routine patrol of the metropolis and sighted two amongst the most wanted cultists who have played major roles in various violent clashes in recent time, who are simply identified as ‘’Akuko Beggar’’ and ‘Slim cash.’’ The team then rounded the duo up and got them arrested.
As soon as they were arrested, some of their members around the place mobilized and attacked the police team; they succeeded in setting free one of the suspects simply known as "Akuko Beggar" after inflicting several machete cut injuries on one of the policemen, but the other suspect Slim cash was taken to custody.
The hoodlums further mobilized themselves in large numbers, armed with dangerous weapons to attack the divisional headquarters at Enugada, but they were repelled by policemen. In the process, three persons were regrettably hit by stray bullets and they are all recuperating in the hospital.
It is also worth of note that contrary to rumor circulating on social media, none of the victims has given up the ghost, they are all receiving treatment in the hospital and police delegates led by the area commander Adatan had visited them.
The command therefore wishes to state categorically that the war against cultism will continue, no matter the challenges or propaganda embarked upon by cultists and their sponsors.
We are determined more than ever to rid the state of these hoodlums who have been terrorizing the state and making life difficult for innocent citizens.
The commissioner of police, CP Lanre Bankole hereby appeals to the general public to support and cooperate with the police and other security agencies in this onerous task so as to make Ogun state a peaceful place for all to live."
The story is not balance without mentioning a radio presenter from Splash FM named by Samson who was details to d scene in other to cover it who was also battered and beaten by d police even after identifying hi.self as a journalist.
ReplyDelete