Arson: Ondo youths protest police arrest of residents

Protesting youths in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Thursday took to the streets in protest at what they called indiscriminate arrest of residents over an arson incident. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the residents of Igbodigo in Ayeka Okitipupa woke up on Tuesday morning to the horrible sight […]

Protesting youths in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Thursday took to the streets in protest at what they called indiscriminate arrest of residents over an arson incident.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the residents of Igbodigo in Ayeka Okitipupa woke up on Tuesday morning to the horrible sight of nine family members burnt in their home.

NAN learnt that the arsonist, who was believed to be a jilted suitor of one the family members, came to the house around 2:00 a.m while family members were sleeping and burnt their residence.

The protesters, who blocked the Okitipupa-Igbokoda expressway, also locked down commercial activities in the area, vowing that they would resist further police arrest of innocent residents over the incident.

They also said that all residents arrested must be released unconditionally, alleging that 30,000 was being demanded from each of the eight said to have been arrested so far by officers of the Okitipupa Police Division.

Mr Bayonle Akinsanya, one of the protesters who spoke with NAN, said that the police were arresting innocent residents who knew nothing about the matter.

“They have arrested no fewer than eight residents who do not know anything about the matter and collecting N30,000 each from them.

“We will continue this protest until they stop the unlawful arrest and also release all arrested residents unconditionally,” he said.

All efforts to speak with the Okitipupa Divisional Police Officer (DPO), DSP Olubukola Abe, on the matter proved abortive as he was unable to be reached on his phone.

SP Femi Joseph, the State Police Public Relations Officer, however, told NAN that he was not aware of the incident.

He stressed that anyone who has any concrete evidence against police officers over the allegations, should forward a written petition to the police headquarters in Akure for prompt action.

“I am not aware of the matter; but anyone with evidence against our men should put it in writing to our headquarters and we will act on it,” Joseph said. (NAN)