Tension as policeman kills truck driver in Osogbo
..Oyetola sympathises with deceased’s family
…As Youth council condemns killing
…Police officer identified, arrested, detained — Osun Police Command
By Abimbola Abatta
There was palpable tension in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State, following the death of a truck driver who was shot by a Police.
The deceased, a 33-year-old borehole drilling truck driver identified as Mallam Kabiru Baba, was shot dead on Friday at the Kobogbogboe/Ota-efun Area of Osogbo.
According to eyewitnesses, the deceased, who was driving a Shekeena Global borehole drilling truck, was brutalised before he was shot dead.
It was gathered that the drilling truck broke down along Ikirun road around 10:30 am, after which the driver and his crew tried to fix the vehicle before the police officers arrived.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts disclosed that the police officers, who arrived in a mini commercial bus, popularly known as Korope in Osogbo metropolis, dragged the driver from under the truck and beat him before shooting him.
Adam Ibrahim, an eyewitness, said, “As we were coming from work and about to make a u-turn, the motor stopped and we tried to start it.
“The Police came around, they asked what was amiss and we explained to them. We were still trying to start the vehicle so we could be on our way. We tried to beg them, “sorry, we would do sharp sharp and go.”
“The Police started beating him. Before we knew it, they just shot him and tried to run. We, however, caught one of them.”
Ibrahim also disclosed that “the deceased is married. His wife is pregnant and has another child. I am not certain of the age though, 3 – 4 years.”
Following the incident, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has condemned the killing of the unarmed truck driver while sympathising with the deceased’s family.
In a statement released by his Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Saturday, the Governor also called for the investigation of the circumstances leading to the event.
He lauded the youths of the area for not taking the laws into their own hands, assuring that Government would ensure justice is served.
Oyetola sympathised with the family of the deceased, his employers and friends, saying that as a government, “we are resolved to do everything possible to protect citizens from actual and potential threats.”
The Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Osun Chapter, Comrade Ismail Abdulazeez, has condemned the killing of the borehole drilling truck driver in Osogbo.
He equally condemned the incessant harassment and killing of civilians by men of the Nigerian Police in the State.
Abdulazeez disclosed that the organisation has visited the State Police Public Relation Officer in Osogbo and asked for the proper investigation of the incident for justice to be served.
According to him, “it is saddening that Police still continue to operate unethically despite the challenges and outcome of last year EndSARS.
“Should we now request for the ban of Nigeria Police entirely in our Nation? No, but Police have decided to remain, act unruly and instead to uphold and enforcing law, they are becoming offenders.
“Police have now become murderers and brutal more than the original criminals,” he added.
He condoled with the family of the deceased and the entire well-drilling association.
The Youth Leader also urged the State Government to proactively address the operations of the security operatives for the state to sustain her status as the most peaceful state in the country.
