The Ogun State Police Command has appealed for calm in the state just as it confirmed the killing of the D.C.O. of Atan Ota, DSP Augustinge Ogbeche, and the death of a civilian in the crisis that rocked the area in the early hours of today.
The Police State at Atan-Ota was also confirmed to have been set on fire.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman of the police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, also said the DPO of the police station, SP Sikiru Olugbenga, was seriously injured and his whereabouts unknown.
The statement reads: “The hitherto peaceful protest embarked upon by youths across Ogun State is unfortunately taking a dangerous violent dimension as some people with ulterior motives are now using the opportunity to commit all sorts of heinous crimes.
“Early this morning, the protesters went to Atan-ota and set the Police station there ablaze and subsequently murdered the D.C.O, Dsp Augustine Ogbeche, in cold blood. A civilian also died in the process while some arms were carted away. They also inflicted serious injury on the DPO, SP Sikiru Olugbenga whose whereabout is yet unknown. Also in Abeokuta, some groups of boys attacked Obada-oko divisional headquarters and vandalized it.
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police Ogun State Command is appealing to the youths to eschew violence and embrace peace as violence will do no one good. He is equally appealing to traditional institutions, parents and other critical stakeholders to prevail on the youths to stop this carnage and give the government a chance to address the situation.
“The youths are reminded that since the commencement of the protests the police have been nice and civil to them even when some of our men were injured and our stations damaged. We even went ahead and released all the 36 suspects we arrested.
“However if in the course of handling the protests anybody feels offended we plead understanding and not retaliatory measures including killing and maiming policemen and burning and damaging police stations. We will ensure that justice is served any aggrieved person. Please and please let us continue to embrace peace rather than violence. The Command sincerely appeal to the youths. Parents and guardians are also enjoined to help reign in their children and wards.
