Residents Protest in Jobele After Police Allegedly Release Arrested Bandit; CP Queries DPO, Orders Re-Arrest of Suspect
Emmanuel Femi Adedayo 
Following the residents’ protest that rocked Jobele Division of the Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday, three officers, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), have been queried, while an Inspector detained pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, ordered the investigation into the allegation of unprofessional conduct by operatives of the division, which led to the protest that spread to parts of the city.
Movements were disrupted at Jobele end of Ibadan/Oyo road in Afijio Local Government Area on Tuesday when protesters took to the road over kidnapping, banditry and other vices.
The protesters lamented the insecurity, and called for the intervention of the security agencies.
There are various accounts of what led to the protest.
A source explained that the crisis erupted when a suspected kidnappers was arrested and taken to the police station.
“Kidnapping happens in Jobele on the Oyo-Ibadan Express Road. The residents caught one of the kidnappers, they took him to the Police station that night.
“But before dawn, the Police released the suspect,’’ another source explained.
Another source said some students had gone to the Jobele Police Division to complain of a kidnapping case but they were chased away.
The students rather than go away took to the streets.
Another source said on Monday, suspected kidnappers invaded one of the communities in the axis and attempted to kidnap a lady but she narrowly escaped by scaling the fence.
She received a deep matchet cut in one of her hands.
“We are not going to leave the road until our (residents) safety is guaranteed by the relevant security agencies,” he said.
Also, Dolapo Awotunde of Ward 8, in a statement said Afijio Local Government Area, in recent times have recorded not less than seven kidnapping cases.
The state Police Command has arrested three armed robbery suspects, recovering stolen goods worth millions of naira.
The suspects, Abiodun Adeyemi Michael, Olaoluwa Pamole, and Ahmed Ismail, were apprehended following a tip-off in Ibadan, the state capital.
The recovered items include a Magnum pump action gun, mobile phones, a Samsung Galaxy S10, a Wi-Fi device, and N130,000.
The suspects confessed to participating in robbery operations in Ibadan, targeting unsuspecting members of the public at gunpoint.
The Command spokespersons, Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement said the arrest is a major operational success which demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and proactive stop-and-search operations in safeguarding lives and property across the state.
The statement read: “It is no longer news that kidnapping has become rampant in Afijio Local Government Area, particularly in Jobele. The community has recorded not less than seven kidnapping-related incidents in recent times, and sadly, another disturbing attack occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
“During the attack, a victim was brutally wounded by the perpetrators. The victim was rushed to the General Hospital and later referred to Ogbomoso for advanced treatment. Unfortunately, one of his hands has been amputated due to the severity of the injuries sustained.
“Following this disturbing development, concerned residents of Jobele decided to take responsibility for the safety of their community by keeping vigil throughout Sunday night into Monday morning.
“About 1:00 a.m. today, community members apprehended a suspicious individual allegedly found with a gun, a cutlass, and other dangerous weapons. In good faith and as law-abiding citizens, the suspect was handed over to the police at the Jobele Police Station for proper investigation and prosecution.
“However, in a shocking twist, when community members visited the police station this morning to inquire about the suspect, they discovered that the suspect had been released without any explanation and without involving the members of the community who apprehended him.
“This development has caused serious outrage and concern among residents. In response, community members, including students, have blocked the Old Oyo-Ibadan Road and major highway, Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso, demanding to know why the suspect was released and who ordered the release.
“This situation raises serious concerns about the security of lives and property in Jobele and the surrounding communities.
“We call on the relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Oyo State Police Command, and the Oyo State Government, to urgently investigate this matter and address the growing insecurity in Afijio Local Government Area.”
When contacted on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka said, investigation has since commenced in accordance with established rules, regulations, and the law to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure appropriate disciplinary actions where necessary.
He noted that indicted officers have been served queries accordingly on the allegation of professional misconduct.
Ayanlade said, “The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command has ordered a thorough investigation into the allegation of unprofessional conduct by operatives of the Jobele Division, which reportedly resulted in the protest witnessed earlier today.
“In line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the ASP who led the patrol team involved and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) have been issued queries, while the Inspector concerned has been defaulted and detained pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The investigation has since commenced in accordance with established rules, regulations, and the law to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure appropriate disciplinary actions where necessary.”
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Ayo Marvel 
Ademola Busayo 
