Boko Haram has not invaded Ogun, says Police PRO

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent Officer, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi has dispelled rumours that some members of Islamic sect, Boko Haram has invaded the state.

Adejobi while commending the vigilant attitude of some residents at Akute area in Ifo local government area of the state, he warned against jungle justice of any form.

He appealed to the general public to always clarify issues before spreading wrong information, particularly sensitive issues on security matters.

This came against the backdrop of an incident that happened in Akute on Tuesday when residents of the area accosted three Catholic seminarians and nearly lynched them as they were tagged terrorists due to their appearances.

According to Adejobi, “Those seen and challenged by members of the public in the Akute area were actually students of Franciscal Friars of the Emaculate Seminary School, Sagamu, Ogun State.

“They were on a visit to a friend at Kayode Afolabi Close, Mubarak Estate, Akute, Ogun state, before a distress call was put across to the Divisional Police Officer in Charge of Ajuwon Division.

“The intending Catholic Priests were on their normal white robes with beards which made the residents to be suspicious that they were members of Boko Haram. They were taken to the Police Divisional Office for interrogation where their identities were confirmed.

“The leaders and representatives of the Seminary school in Sagamu, the Catholic Priest in Akute and some other students of the school have visited the police division in Ajuwon to identify them as their catholic members who are actually on training,” the PPRO stated.

It was learnt that the students attracted the attention of the residents because they were dressed in white gowns and wearing beards.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the attire of the students attracted attention and caused panic in the area, which made them put a call direct to the DPO, who immediately deployed men to the area.

“One of them even had a beard, some of us stopped them to know their mission. But before you know it, many people went to town that terrorists were in Akute,” the resident said.

A commercial motorcycle rider disclosed that after interrogating the students, the residents were convinced that they were not terrorists.

“Yes, we confronted them, we initially thought that they were Boko Haram members. However, after having a chat with them and searching them, we discovered that they were not terrorists. We subsequently allowed them to go. Nobody arrested them,” he stated.