Panic as policemen invade community over comment on pipeline vandalism

[Mirror]

Fear gripped residents of Orisunbare in ward 10 of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State on Tuesday as policemen allegedly stormed the community and started shooting sporadically into the air.

The sporadic gunshot caused panic among the residents as they ran helter- skelter for their lives.

The shooting, which lasted for about 10 minutes, was prompted by the action of a youth, Olanrewaju Akanji, who challenged the policemen for aiding pipeline vandalism in the community.

It will be recalled that the community severally experienced activities of pipeline vandals in the past.

The development made authorities to deploy security operatives to the area to monitor the pipeline, but rather than guiding against the activities of the vandals, the police were alleged to have engaged in the vandalism.

The security personnel were also alleged to have connived with the vandals to destroy the pipelines.

Trouble, however, began on Tuesday when a fuel tanker arrived at the community and after scooping fuel, it was being driven by one of the policemen in company of some motorcyclists, who assisted the security personnel in the illegal activity.

Shortly after Akanji saw them, he told the leader of the motorcyclists, Gbade Akinola, that he was engaging in illegal business.

Akinola reported to the policemen that Akanji was insulting them.

A few minutes after, the policemen stormed the community and started shooting sporadically. They also injured Akanji for accusing them of aiding vandalism. Akanji was, however, rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Efforts by elders to stop the policemen from beating Akanji failed as they threatened to shoot whoever attempted to confront them.

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, said the command was not involved in monitoring pipeline.

National Mirror

[Folami David]

Pipeline Vandalism is a huge crime!
Nigerians must stop engaging in it!!!