The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the incident that sparked the recent Yoruba-Hausa unrest in the Strabag area of Ojoo, Ibadan, saying normalcy has been restored to the affected community.
The command said preliminary investigations showed that the crisis began after four young men allegedly attempted to rob a Point of Sale (POS) operator on Tuesday night, an incident that escalated into mob action, reprisal attacks and a breakdown of law and order.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command said the suspects arrived at the POS outlet aboard a commercial tricycle to purchase mobile data before allegedly attempting to dispossess the operator of his mobile phone.
“The victim immediately raised an alarm, attracting members of the public who apprehended one of the suspects, identified as Abeeb Olajide, while the other three fled the scene,” the statement said.
According to the police, Olajide was severely beaten by the mob before officers rescued him and rushed him to a nearby medical facility. He was later referred to the State Hospital, Moniya, where he died while receiving treatment.
The command said the incident heightened tension within the community, with aggrieved groups allegedly mobilising for reprisals, leading to unrest in parts of the Strabag area.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the swift deployment of adequate operational and tactical assets to the affected area,” the statement said, adding that officers worked with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Amotekun to restore order.
The police also confirmed the death of another resident, Kamorudeen Abdulrasheed, who reportedly died from injuries sustained during the unrest.
“Regrettably, one person, identified as Kamorudeen Abdulrasheed, was reported to have died at hospital from injuries allegedly sustained as a result of the unrest. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under discreet investigation,” the command stated.
It added that six makeshift shops containing picked and condemned plastic materials were burnt during the disturbance, while personnel of the Oyo State Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining properties.
The police disclosed that the four suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, where investigations into the attempted robbery, mob action and the ensuing disturbance are ongoing.
The command condemned jungle justice and urged residents to allow security agencies to handle criminal suspects through lawful means.
“Residents are further urged to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, while community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders are encouraged not to allow criminal elements to exploit the unfortunate incident to foment ethnic or communal unrest,” the statement added.