CRIME
Officer killed as police, hoodlums clash in Ibadan
A POLICE officer has been killed in Oyo following a clash between hoodlums and police operatives along Moniya, Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident which happened on Tuesday in a statement.
Osifeso in a copy of the statement made available to newsmen stated “Today, being Tuesday 25/04/2023 at about 1015hrs, operatives attached to Moniya Area Command under the Oyo State Police Command while on lawful intelligence led Stop and Search around a Major Blackspot were attacked in the line of duty.
“Preliminary Investigation reveals that the patrol team while acting on credible intelligence through visible policing duties extended their presence around major black spots, highways and major roads under Akinyele Local Government Area Axis in a bid to deter criminal elements from settling and establishing dominance within the location.
“The team of operatives on patrol led by one Inspr Stanley Ikhine, flagged down an ash coloured Lexus 350 jeep with a faintly inscribed worn-off number further arousing suspicion from the officers on watch,” the statement read.
He said the vehicle initially slowed down in compliance with the directive before eventually picking up speed and dashing off to evade the officers on duty.
Following the action of the driver, the police officers pursued the occupants of the vehicle in a bid to establish further clarity of facts.
“A few meters away from the initial stoppage point, the Lexus Jeep veered off the road to a nearby garage, driving directly into the waiting hands of hoodlums who were also collaborators in the criminal process, thereby not only obstructing the officers from discharging their duties but as well aiding the escape of the SUV and its occupants.
Police spokesman stated that the late officer has since been deposited at the state morgue for post-mortem, adding that seven persons have been arrested with 12 motorcycles impounded in connection with the incident.
