The Kwara State Police Command has debunked social media report of youth protest in Alore and Oloje areas of Ilorin over increase in the cost of marijuana, describing the news as untrue and misleading.
In a release by the Command on Monday afternoon, the state Police Public Relations Office Dsp Ajayi Okasanmi explained that on 14/07/2020, at about 1900hr, the DPO, Oloje Division had received information that youths of Oloje and Alore areas of Ilorin were engaging in a free for all fight at Oloje Junction.
The DPO Oloje, he said, acted promptly by drafting a police patrol team to the area. The arrival of the police team brought the situation under control.
Clarifying the situation, Okasanmi said Police investigation revealed that “fracas broke out when one Soliu Esho of Alore in Ilorin, a hemp smoker went to Oloje to buy N200 marijuana and demanded for an extra wrap free which the seller refused.
“The buyer insisted on the free wrap but the seller maintained his ground. The ensuing argument led to a fight between the two. The fight however became free for all when friends of both parties joined in the fight.
“The arrival of the police team drafted to the scene however brought total calm to the area. The youths on sighting the police patrol vehicle took to their heels, fleeing the scene in different directions. One suspect was however arrested with bruises. He was treated at the police clinic and charged to court the following day. He is presently on remand while efforts are still ongoing to apprehend others who are still at large, including the buyer and the seller”
The Command however appealed to members of the public, “In the spirit of Community Policing” to always give credible information to the police, assuring that such information will be treated in utmost confidentiality and the protection of such informants given utmost priority.
The Command also advised members of the press to always verify stories from appropriate quarters before going public as they are partners in the Community Policing model of the Inspector General of Police as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to Okasanmi, the Command is in collaboration with Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies, working assiduously to rid the State of sales and consumptions of illicit drugs.
“The present Community Policing initiative is targeted at ensuring a safe and secured Nigerian communities of which Kwara state is part. All stakeholders are therefore advised to embrace this laudable initiative which is designed to change our policing narrative for the good of our communities in Kwara state and in Nigeria as a whole”, Okasanmi said.
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