1st June, 2022
By Olajide Idowu
Governor Gboyega Oyetola has vowed to find and prosecute trigger-happy policemen who shot a journalist and a resident at Olaiya Junction in the state capital.
Toba Adedeji, a correspondent of the Nation’s Newspaper and another person were shot at on Tuesday, whilst the police officers were trying to disperse a group of people.
Reports have it that the group had gathered to mourn the death of their loved one before the police interfered.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, the governor condemned the shooting, saying that it was completely unacceptable, and irresponsible to shoot at unarmed citizens.
According to him, the sad incident could have been avoided and an action like that could aggravate an already- tensed situation that could lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.
Oyetola therefore called for thorough investigation of the incident, with a view to ensuring that the culprits are decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the land.
“Shooting at journalists and unarmed citizen is completely unacceptable, irresponsible and condemnable.
“The police officers have no justification for this unfortunate and unlawful act.
“They could have employed other means rather than resorting to deadly force to disperse the group” he said.
“I have directed the State Commissioner of Police to investigate the Tuesday shooting incident and ensure that his officers involved in it are identified and punished in accordance with the law.
“We must ensure that this kind of sad and barbaric incident does not occur again in our state.
“I wish the Nation Newspaper correspondent, Adedeji, and the other citizen whom I learnt are presently receiving treatment at the hospital, a speedy recovery.
“I am also calling on residents of Osun to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands,” he said.
He assured the matter would be pursued to a logical conclusion and the erring officers dealt with accordingly.
NAN