One Dead In Ile-Ife As Angry Youths Protest Death Of Suspect In Police Custody [Detailed Report]

One person was on Saturday confirmed killed in Ile-Ife, Osun State as some angry youths took to the street to protest the death of a middle-aged man identified as Olufemi Oriyomi who reportedly died as a suspect in the custody of the Osun State Command of the Nigerian Police Force.

IFECITYBLOG gathered that Oriyomi had on Thursday been arrested alongside two other suspects but he was later reported dead while in the custody.

This, it was further learnt, sparked up protests from angry youths in the area who alleged that the suspect was actually killed by the Police during interrogation.

The protest, it was further learnt, continued till Saturday morning as the young men blocked Iloro, Moore, Ilode and Enuwa roads and in an attempt by the police to dispatch them, a person was reportedly shot to death.

POLICE DENIES KILLING SUSPECT

Meanwhile, the State Police Command in a release on Friday said that it arrested three suspects in the community for alleged ritual killings.

The release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, further noted that the suspects, all male were arrested with human heart and charms during "stop and search" duty.

The Police spokesperson added that while investigation was ongoing, one of the suspects fell sick and he was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

"The Osun State Police Command in its efforts to sanitize the State from incessant ritual killings and other vices; has arrested three young men for ritual killings. They are: Olayade Kehinde 'M' 25yrs, Olufemi Oriyomi 'M' 21yrs and Raimi Sheriff 'M' 21yrs.

"The brief fact of the case is that, on the 7th April, 2022 at about 1100hrs along Osogbo/OAU Ife Campus Road, the Police detectives on 'stop and search' duty accosted three men on motorcycle, they were flagged down, but rather than stop, sped off, and were pursued. They were eventually arrested at Safejo area of Ile-ife, and while searching, human heart, which they claimed was one of their friend's and various criminal charms were found on them.

"Meanwhile, as discreet investigation still ongoing, one of the suspects named Olufemi Oriyomi fell sick and was taken to hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, he died while on admission and the corpse has been deposited at State hospital for autopsy. The remaining two suspects will be charged to Court upon conclusion of investigation.", She stated.

STATE GOVERNMENT REACTS

In its reaction, the statement Government on Saturday called for calm in the affected areas.

The government in statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode appealed to residents to embrace peace, noting that government has been informed of the ugly development and efforts are being made to unravel the circumstances leading to the alleged extra-judicial killings.

"The violence sparked off by the face-off between the men of Nigerian Police Force and the youths of Iloro area of Ile-Ife, has come to the notice of the government of Osun State, and it is using this opportunity to appeal to the youths and residents of the town to give peace a chance.

"The government has ordered an immediate investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the violence, especially the alleged death of a detained suspect and shooting by men of the Nigerian Police at unarmed youths.

"In the meantime, residents of the area are urged not to take laws into their hands by hurting more people or destroying properties.

"We implore our citizens to embrace peace and shun violence, in the spirit of this solemn season", Egbemode stated.