Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has debunked news making rounds that a suspected internet fraudster popularly known as “Yahoo boy” was carrying rifle during a protest in Osogbo.
It will be recalled that some internet fraudsters in Osogbo on Tuesday protested against incessant arrest by officials of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the state.
Nigerian NewsDirect had reported that EFCC stormed the state on Monday evening and arrested some suspects along with their car but were attacked by the suspected fraudsters.
Osun State Police Commissioner, CP Olawale Olokode in a statement signed by the spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola said the alleged fraudster carrying a rifle is a police officer.
Opalola said, the Commissioner of Police, in order not to degenerate into chaos promptly waded into the situation before it will snowball to anarchy.
“The attention of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode has been drawn to the news trending in the social media that one of the protesters who willingly and unlawfully disrupted the peace and tranquility of Osogbo was seen with AK-47 rifle.
“Ordinarily, the Commissioner of Police wouldn’t have dignified the writers with a reply but due to the sensitivity and the nature of the incident, it has become absolutely necessary not only to refute the story but to also set the records straight and douse the attendant fear and apprehension.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Dugbe Division in the State capital swiftly mobilized some Policemen who were off duty to increase the number of men deployed for that duty. The young man referred to in mufti was one of the policemen hurriedly deployed for the swift response operation.”
The police boss urged members of the public to disregard the information as untrue and deliberately penned not only to hit the body of police, but to also misguide and confuse the general public.
Olokode also enjoined the people of the state to continue partnering with the State Police Command in order to protect and serve them better, shun every act that can result into violence and thereby jeopardize the existing peace in the State.