Tension erupted in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, as enraged youths torched a divisional police station following the alleged torture and death of a young man in police custody.
According to reports from Sahara Reporters via its official X handle, the incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, sent shockwaves through the border town, igniting a wave of violent protests.
Sources told Daily Trust that the turmoil stemmed from an altercation on Valentine’s Day, which led to the arrest of the yet-to-be-identified young man. However, when news broke that he had allegedly died while in police detention, an enraged mob stormed the station, overpowering officers before setting the facility ablaze.
Eyewitnesses recounted how the deceased’s friends and community members, unable to contain their grief and fury, took to the streets, demanding justice. The situation quickly escalated into a full-blown riot, leaving destruction in its wake.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, stated that additional personnel had been deployed to contain the unrest. Meanwhile, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, is reportedly on his way to Ifon to restore order and prevent further escalation.
As authorities scramble to pacify the situation, questions linger over the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death. Residents and activists are now calling for an independent investigation to ensure justice is served.
This latest episode adds to the growing concerns over police brutality and public distrust in law enforcement across Nigeria, raising the specter of renewed calls for police reforms.
PIONEER NEWS 