Sagamu residents protest against DPO

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Residents of Sagamu on Monday took to the streets in protest against the alleged criminal extortion by the DPO of Sagamu Police Station, CSP John Mark.

Among the protesters were youths numbering over one thousand who assembled at the popular Ita Oba roundabout as early as 8am from different quarters of the town for the protest.

There has been a faceoff between the Police Command in the state and the lawmaker representing Sagamu constituency, Adeyinka Mafe, over alleged extortion against the DPO.

The protest which started from Ita Oba took the protesters, who comprised of both old and young people, from the town moved spread to Ewusi street, Makun, Bright Fashion junction and Surulere area.

From Surulere, the protesters moved straight down to under the new bridge at Sabo, where the Area Commander of Sagamu addressed them.

Addressing the protesters, the Police boss pleaded with them to maintain peace and order and not to take laws in their hands.

He stated that all their grievances would be tabled at the appropriate quartets, assuring them that adequate attention will be given to it.

Several youth leaders in the town also took their turns to address the protesters.

Among them are the Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Sagamu local chapter, Comrade Ademola Adesanya, Barr. Seun Bangbelu, Comrade Kayode Segun-Okeowo, Comrade Lekan Lawal among others.

Our correspondent reliably gathered from some of the protesters that if not for the intervention and plea by the Transition Chairman of the local government, Hon. Omolola Awosanya, some miscreants, who planned to hijack the protest were ready to burn down the station.

The local government boss called on the people of the area to maintain peace and remain calm.

Meanwhile, a police source confirmed to P.M.NEWS that the embattled DPO, CSP John Mark, has been transferred from Sagamu on Monday.