The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct by officers attached to the Jobele Division in Afijio Local Government Area of the state.
The directive followed a protest that erupted in the area on Tuesday, as residents expressed anger over rising insecurity and the handling of a suspected criminal case by the police.
In a statement issued in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, the command confirmed that disciplinary steps had already been initiated against some of the officers involved in the incident.
According to the statement, the Assistant Superintendent of Police who led the patrol team connected with the matter and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station have both been issued official queries. In addition, an inspector linked to the incident has been defaulted and detained while the investigation continues.
The police spokesperson explained that the ongoing investigation is aimed at establishing the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and ensuring that appropriate disciplinary actions are taken if any wrongdoing is established.
Earlier on Tuesday, residents of Jobele and nearby communities staged a protest that disrupted both human and vehicular movement along the Jobele axis of the Ibadan–Oyo Expressway. The protest led to a temporary blockade of the busy road as angry residents demanded urgent action to address what they described as worsening insecurity in the area.
Community members said the protest was triggered by a series of criminal incidents, including kidnapping attempts and violent attacks, which they claimed had become increasingly frequent in recent months.
Residents recounted a recent incident in which suspected kidnappers reportedly invaded one of the communities in the area in an attempt to abduct a woman. According to eyewitness accounts, the victim narrowly escaped by scaling a fence while trying to flee from her attackers.
Although she managed to escape the abduction attempt, the woman reportedly sustained a deep machete cut on one of her hands during the attack. The incident heightened fears among residents, who said it was not the first time such a violent attack had occurred in the community.
The rising tension in the area reportedly reached a peak after community members apprehended a suspicious individual in the early hours of Monday. According to residents, the suspect was found with weapons including a gun and a cutlass.
Residents said the suspect was immediately handed over to the police at the Jobele Police Station for further investigation, believing that the authorities would take appropriate action.
However, outrage erupted when members of the community later visited the police station to follow up on the case and were informed that the suspect had already been released. The alleged release of the suspect without explanation triggered anger among residents, who questioned the decision and expressed concern about the safety of their community.
In response, groups of residents, including students and other community members, mobilised and blocked major roads in the area, including the Old Oyo–Ibadan Road and the Ibadan–Oyo–Ogbomoso highway.
The protesters demanded explanations from the authorities regarding the alleged release of the suspect and called for stronger security measures to protect lives and property in the area.
Community leaders and residents also raised concerns about the increasing rate of kidnapping and other criminal activities within Afijio Local Government Area. According to local accounts, the area has experienced several kidnapping-related incidents in recent times, leaving many residents fearful for their safety.
In one of the recent attacks, a victim reportedly sustained severe injuries after being assaulted by suspected criminals. The victim was initially rushed to a general hospital before being referred to a medical facility in Ogbomoso for specialised treatment. Due to the severity of the injuries sustained during the attack, one of the victim’s hands was later amputated.
The disturbing incident prompted residents to organise community vigil activities in an effort to protect their neighbourhoods and monitor suspicious movements within the area.
Amid the growing concerns, residents have called on security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to address the rising insecurity and restore public confidence in the safety of the communities.
The police command has assured members of the public that the ongoing investigation will be thorough and transparent, adding that any officer found culpable of misconduct will face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the law.
Authorities have also urged residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to address security challenges in the affected communities.
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