One feared killed as police, motorcyclists clash in Ibadan

A man was feared killed when police and commercial motorcyclists clashed in the Yemetu area of Ibadan , Oyo State, on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the victim, who was said to be a commercial motorcyclist, was shot by a policeman after he refused to part with money demanded from him by the cop.

A resident of the area, Abiodun Okunuga, told our correspondent on Tuesday that after the commercial motorcyclist was shot, his colleagues decided to avenge his death.

He said the commercial motorcyclists were joined by hoodlums in the area, adding that they attempted to burn a police station in Yemetu.

He said, “We were all confused because of the crisis.

“We ran in different directions because we feared that we could be hit by flying bullets.

“Someone said the hoodlums also came with guns and engaged the policemen in a shootout.”

Another version of the incident, according to another resident who did not wish to be identified, stated that a bullet from an accidental discharge hit a man when policemen raided a notorious joint in the Yemetu area, leading to a protest against the raid by some youths.

Our correspondent learnt that during the clash, weapons like cutlasses and broken bottles were wielded by the hoodlums.

It was gathered that the  policemen also fired into the air in order to disperse the attackers and protect the police station from being razed.

The crisis later spread to Beere, Oje, Dandaru and other areas around Yemetu.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the clash between the riders  and policemen.

He, however, said there was no evidence that anyone died in the clash, adding that nobody in the state had come forward to make any report to the police to that effect.

He said, “Seven people have been arrested in connection with the clash.

“Some policemen were on routine patrol in the Yemetu area when suspected hoodlums attacked them.”