14 Arrested Over Mob Attack On Police In Ondo Community

Police operatives in Ondo State have rescued two suspects accused of murdering a farmer from a mob attack in Ala community, Akure North Local Government Area, with 14 people arrested over the incident.

The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists in Akure on Wednesday.

He said the death of a farmer, Rasheed Hassan, was reported to the police from General Camp in the Government Reserve Area on October 24.

According to him, police operatives who visited the scene evacuated the farmer’s body, which had deep cuts on the head and other parts, while his belongings were missing.

Jimoh said the Ala Youth President arrested two suspects on October 26 and was taking them to the police station when an irate mob intercepted them and attempted to lynch them.

“At about 01:45 hours on October 27, upon receipt of a distress call, our operatives swiftly moved to the scene and successfully rescued the two suspects from the mob. However, the patrol team conveying the suspects back to Akure came under attack,” he said.

He added that two police officers sustained gunshot injuries from pellets allegedly fired from a youth’s pump-action firearm. The officers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The police spokesperson said 14 people suspected of participating in the mob action had been arrested, while investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the farmer’s death.

He added that tactical and rescue teams had been deployed to restore order and protect lives in the community.

Jimoh said normalcy had returned to the area and urged residents to hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.

He assured the public that discreet investigations were ongoing and that justice would be served.