Council boss cautions against maximum force

The restive peace pervading in the agrarian community of Idoani in Ose Local Council of Ondo State was, yesterday, threatened after suspected hoodlums killed a naval officer in the town.

In response, military personnel in their numbers stormed the community to apprehend those responsible for the death of their colleague, who was attached to Navy Secondary School, Imeri within the council area.

Upon their arrival, tension rose hurriedly, and traders closed shops, leaving marketplaces empty.

Many young men in the community fled the area for fear of being arrested, while residents expressed worries about potential retaliation by the deceased officer’s colleagues.

A source in the community told The Guardian that the naval officer was driving on a road in the community, when he allegedly splashed pond water on a passenger on a motorcycle while trying to avoid potholes.

The source, who craved anonymity, said the naval officer parked his vehicle and apologised to the motorcyclist, who allegedly had influence over a group of thugs in the Idoani community.

He said: “The man identified as Ayo refused to accept the officer’s apologies, after which the Okada rider allegedly mobilised some hoodlums from the community who attacked the naval officer with an iron rod, causing him to lose consciousness.

“The naval officer was immediately taken to a hospital in the town, but passed away before reaching the hospital.

“The Okada rider was apprehended and handed over to the police in the town, but one of the thugs who hit the naval officer reportedly fled the scene to avoid arrest.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ose Local Council, Dennis Adekunle, who condemned the killing, has called for calm over the incident.

Adekunle, who condemned the gruesome murder of the officer, assured the school authority of the cooperation of the council and the community, dousing the tension.

He, however, appealed to the school to apply minimum force in searching for the perpetrators of the dastardly act in the interest of peace.

At press time, the state Police Command could not confirm the details of the incident.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Olufumilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, promised to investigate the incident and gather more information about it.