Osun Police Dispute Claims Over Woman’s Assault
The Osun State Police Command has disputed allegations by a human rights group that officers failed to intervene while a 68-year-old woman, Mrs Ayetimiyi Ibironke, was allegedly attacked by suspected thugs in Iwo.
The Executive Director of Hope For The Common Man in Iwo, Nurudeen Ibraheem, had accused the Divisional Police Officer of Adeeke Police Division, Sunday Fayofunmi Osungbure, of ignoring pleas from Ibironke’s children for help during the September 6 attack at Ori-Eru junction.
Ibraheem alleged that Ibironke, a petty fish seller, was attacked after refusing to allow some people to take bottles from her shop during a clash involving two factions of commercial motorcycle operators.
He said the attackers, allegedly led by Saheed Ajani, popularly known as “Executive”, beat the woman unconscious and inflicted serious injuries on her, including knocking out some of her teeth.
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According to the human rights group, Ibironke’s children rushed to the Adeeke Police Station to seek intervention but were allegedly told by the DPO that the matter was beyond him.
The group also questioned the police decision to arrest two of Ibironke’s children while Ajani and others allegedly involved in the attack remained free.
However, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, rejected the account, saying the human rights activist’s narration did not represent “the true fact of the case”.
According to the police, the incident stemmed from a dispute between two factions of okada riders at Ori-Eru junction, with one faction allegedly supported by Ajani and the other by Ibironke.
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The police said the dispute resurfaced on September 6 while Ajani was attempting to resolve the disagreement, leading to a fight between him and Samuel Ayetimiyi, Ibironke’s son.
The command alleged that Samuel attacked Ajani on the head with a broken bottle, after which some of Ajani’s supporters invaded Ibironke’s shop and assaulted her.
The police said Ibironke was injured and later admitted to hospital.
The command further alleged that Ibironke’s daughter, Doris Ayetimiyi, and some customers at the shop subsequently joined the confrontation with Ajani and his associates.
The police said five suspects were arrested in connection with allegations including assault occasioning harm, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and affray, while the matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
