Election violence: Police arrest suspected killer of Reps member, Temitope ‘Sugar’ Olatoye

The AIG and the police commissioner, however, said thatSugar’s death was in no way connected with the elections that took place on the day he was killed.

Speaking with the Tribune Online exclusively on Monday, at the police headquarters in Ibadan, AIG Oyebade said that the police got enough facts and evidences that led to the arrest.

“We have got a suspect but we can’t reveal all the details. I was at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan with the Oyo State Commissioner of Police on Saturday. The Chief Medical Director of the UCH was also with us.

“From that point, we picked up the investigation. I want to assure members of the public that the IGP’s mandate is that no stone should be left unturned in unravelling the cause of the incident.

 “But the incident is not directly connected with the elections, going by the venue of the incident and the information we gathered of what happened prior to the incident,” the AIG said.

On his part, the Oyo police commissioner told the Tribune Online that he got the information about the attack on Sugar by unknown assailants from the Divisional Police Officer at Iyana Offa, while he was monitoring the governorship and state House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

Olukolu said: I learnt that Sugar was ambushed and, in the process, sustained gunshot injuries in the head. He was immediately evacuated to the UCH for medical attention, but, unfortunately, he died at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital while receiving treatment.”

He added that the area where the incident occurred was cordoned, while he directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) to personally lead the team of investigators.

Confirming the arrest of a suspect, Olukolu said others were being sought for, expressing assurance that there would be other developments.

The AIG and the police commissioner emphasized that though there were pockets of violence, the elections in the state could be classified as peaceful.

“Though there were deaths, they were not related to the electoral process,” he stated.

Speaking on two other deaths that occurred, in addition to Sugar’s death, Olukolu said that the one that occurred at Akanran was not related to the election.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the incident claimed they had a previous issue with the deceased, before fighting broke out again on the day of election, during which deceased collapsed and died.

“The vehicle they brought to the scene was also recovered.

“The third person that died was when a distress call indicated that about 15 hoodlums, who were armed, stormed a polling unit, approaching the venue with the mind of causing mayhem, snatching ballot boxes and inflicting injuries on members of the public.

“A team of patrol men were deployed and there was a response. A shot hit one of the hoodlums and he died. A shotgun was recovered, indicating that these people did not mean well for the entire society. We are working on it; whatever the circumstances are, all these cases are being investigated by the police to determine what happened exactly and appropriate actions would be taken,” the police commissioner said.

Meanwhile, the AIG commended the officers and men of the command for handling the state security during the elections efficiently, so much that all disturbances were handled and there was no cancellation of results.

He however decried the fake news that were circulated in Ibadan, urging the carrier of such news to do away with peddling unfounded rumours that could generate unnecessary heat and build tension.

He also spoke on the issue at Oba Akoko in Ondo State, which led to the release of detained suspects, saying that the hoodlums who invaded the police station were professionally prevented from setting the police station on fire.

“But the state Commissioner of Police, Unide Adie visited the place and restored calmness. Those injured were taken for treatment. We have assessed the situation. The outcome of the investigation is ongoing to determine next line of action.

“In Osun , we proactively posted operatives to areas where felt there would be issues, and surveillance was able to douse tension. Places like Ile Ife, Ede, Ilesa, Ifewara and Igangan were monitored. The police were able to do their best. That is why I’m on ground in Oyo State,” Oyebade said further.

• Nigerian Tribune