Tension erupted in Moniya, Ibadan after a 35-year-old motorcyclist, Sanni Salisu, reportedly died following a medical emergency during a police stop-and-search operation.
After reportedly having a seizure during a police stop-and-search operation in Moniya, Ibadan, 35-year-old motorcyclist Sanni Salisu passed away. This caused unrest that resulted in the burning of a police outpost, the destruction of vehicles, and the arrest of the involved officers by the Oyo State Police Command.
According to a statement from the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident took place in Ibadan’s Moniya axis.
According to preliminary reports, two officers working under the District Officer’s (D.O.) supervision at the Kara Police Outpost were “allegedly carrying out an unauthorized stop-and-search operation within their jurisdiction” when they stopped a 35-year-old male okada rider named Sanni Salisu, whose registration number was still unknown.
“During the course of the interaction, the motorcyclist suddenly developed what appeared to be an epileptic seizure, slumped on his motorcycle, and became unresponsive,” the statement said.
“In a swift effort to preserve life, the officers immediately conveyed him to Modupe Hospital, Akinyele, where he was, however, confirmed dead by medical personnel,” the statement continued.
The “sudden nature of the incident, unfortunately, triggered tension within the area,” which turned violent, according to the Command.
According to the statement, “some resentful people mobilized and attacked the Kara Police Outpost, setting parts of the facility ablaze, acting on misinformation and unverified narratives.”
One police officer suffered significant burns during the disturbance, and “property including three motorcycles and one Mazda pick-up patrol vehicle were destroyed by fire.”
Law and order was restored as the Command quickly sent reinforcements to the scene after receiving the distress signal, according to police authorities.
After that, “necessary procedural steps were taken, including the evacuation of the deceased to the Adeoyo State Hospital Mortuary, Ring Road, Ibadan, where the corpse has been deposited for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.”
Given the circumstances surrounding the incident, Abimbola Olugbenga, the state’s commissioner of police, ordered the officers involved to be arrested right once. These officers “have since been defaulted and are currently in custody.”
However, the State Criminal Investigation Department (DCCID) Deputy Commissioner of Police was instructed by the commissioner of police “to carry out a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter, ensure that the autopsy is conducted, and that all those found wanting are appropriately sanctioned in accordance with the law.”
The Command advised the public “to disregard such unverified information and rely only on official channels for accurate updates,” noting “with concern the circulation of false and mischievous narratives on social media aimed at distorting the facts of the incident.”
The police reaffirmed that they had “zero tolerance for indiscipline and misconduct, emphasizing that any officer found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law in line with extant regulations.”
The police commissioner thanked the Inspector-General of Police “for his continued support and commitment to strengthening professionalism and accountability within the Nigeria Police Force” and urged the locals “to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, assuring that justice will be served in this matter.”
The Command stated that it “remains resolute in its commitment to the protection of lives and property, as well as encouraging residents to refrain from taking the law into their hands and to cooperate with the Police as investigations progress.”