Abiola Odutola
The Ekiti State Police Command of the Nigerian Police Force has denied allegations that it killed a supporter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the political party’s rally, which was led by Babafemi Ojodu, a serving senator, last Sunday, at Ijagbo roundabout, Ado Ekiti.
Victor Babayemi, police public relations officer, PPRO, disclosed that the yet to be identified middle aged man, who was shot at the scene of the incident had been shot during a fracas between supporters of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, shortly before the police got to the scene.
“We didn’t fire any shot at the scene,” the PPRO said. He explained that when the commissioner of police, CP, arrived at the scene, the victim was still breathing and he instructed his men to take him to Ekiti State teaching hospital and paid for his registration card.
“The party supporters that claimed he was their member couldn’t take him to the hospital and they couldn’t identify him. The victim was not part of the rally. He was just passing by on a bike and APC supporters saw a PDP sticker on the bike carrying him and attacked both the cyclist and the victim . We interrogated the motorcyclist that carried him before the incident and he confirmed that. Also, the APC shirt was placed on him after he was attacked. The autopsy would soon be released and that would confirm who shot the victim,” the Police PRO added.
He also debunked allegations that the commissioner of police challenged Governor Kayode Fayemi at the scene of the incident. He said the Aid de camp to the Governor called the CP while he was mobilising his men to the riot scene, that Governor was on his way to the scene but the CP advised the latter not to visit the scene at that time due to the fracas and tear gas the police had used to disperse the supporters of the two parties.
“The CP only pleaded with the Governor to leave the scene because the place was not secured that he will come to his office to brief him after the situation has been controlled,” Babayemi disclosed.
As at yesterday night, none of the two political parties who claimed the victim was their member has identified him.
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