BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
There was pandemonium in Osogbo, Osun State capital, Tuesday evening after a Mobile Policeman allegedly shot a commercial motorcycle rider, identified as Saheed Olabomi.
The victim was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital for treatment. The incident occurred around 5pm at the popular Oke Onitea junction in the metropolis.
An eyewitness explained that the incident started when some Mobile Policemen wanted to arrest a truck driver at Old Oba Road. The driver was said to have attempted to resist arrest, a development that turned into a crisis in the area.
The source said the crisis worsened as the police officers started shooting before a stray bullet hit Olabomi who was riding a motorcycle.
“What happened was that Police Officers and some truck drivers were fighting and the officers started shooting. In fact, after shooting him, there was a traffic jam at the area but the police destroyed some facilities and reversed to make their way. Saheed was hit on his cheek and was on the floor for several minutes before we brought him to UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital. I pray he survives,” the eyewitness said.
Consequently, protest broke out at the Oke-Fia area of Osogbo. Some angry motorcycle operators set bonfires and caused traffic snarl on the busy Oke-Fia Road.
Traders, office operators and passers-by around the area scampered for safety as the Okada riders demonstrated against the shooting of their colleague.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun State Command, Yemisi Opalola confirmed that there was a face-off between some Mobile Policemen and truck drivers.
She added that the command was investigating the alleged shooting.
