One Anuoluwapo Abiodun of Imala/Elega area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was shot and killed over the weekend by an operative of the Nigeria Police Force. The victim, who acquaintances say was a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, reportedly operated a betting shop in front of a popular hotel in the area and was closing for the day when he was gunned down.
An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity alleged that the officers were drunk and coming out of the hotel when one of them shot the deceased.
“The guy (Abiodun) owned a shop opposite the hotel. The police were chasing someone or on a raid and there was an accidental discharge, the stray bullet hit the guy and the guy died immediately.
“The youths in the area tried to hold down the policemen and they ran into the hotel. They had to reinforce to get more police officers to come and rescue them before they were able to escape later around 11 pm. The incident happened around 8 pm.
“As they (police officers) were trying to disperse the protesting youths, they kept shooting sporadically. In fact, fear gripped everybody,” the eyewitness said.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident.
“We are very much aware of the incident and the Commissioner of Police has detailed the SCID to commence investigation,” she said.
