Protesting members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) stoned policemen in Ibadan Wednesday over the disappearance from police custody
Protesting members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) stoned policemen in Ibadan Wednesday over the disappearance from police custody of serial killer, Sunday Shodipe. The students had arrived at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele with placards, demanding the rearrest of Shodipe.
The protest went on peacefully until some of the protesters began attacking security personnel at the command with stones and other dangerous objects. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident.
Fadeyi said that members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) came to the command’s headquarters to protest the escape of Shodipe.
“The Commissioner of Police, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, with all the management, came around to attend to them and allow them express their grievances.
“They made series of demands, including that the escaped suspect be rearrested and the CP assured them that he will do everything within his powers to ensure that the suspect is rearrested and brought to book,” Fadeyi said.
The PPRO said that the commissioner appealed to the protesters although they eventually became violent and were dispersed. He, however, said that no officer sustained injury during the attack.
“We gave them the opportunity to do whatever they wanted to do and we were just standing by to ensure that there was no break-down of law and order,” Fadeyi said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has deployed special forces to complement the efforts of the Oyo Police command in the manhunt for the alleged serial killer Sunday Shodipe. According to a statement by Force Headquarters spokesman, Frank Mba, the additional deployment comprises crack detectives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Force Intelligence Bureau, Abuja.
The team is expected to bring their vast operational, technical and investigative experience to bear in supporting ongoing efforts aimed at re-arresting and bringing the fugitive to book. The IGP condemned the escape from lawful custody of the suspect and ordered the Police commissioner to speedup investigations into the circumstances that led to the escape of the suspect. All persons indicted in the escape are to be identified and made to face the wrath of the law, the statement said.
