LIVE UPDATES
Angry youths have allegedly set fire to a divisional police station in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the reported death of a young man, Tobi Bobade, while in police custody.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to Rocketparrot News stated that the boy's death incited the youths, who surged into the police station, overpowered the officers present, and set the building ablaze to voice their dissatisfaction with the situation.
He revealed on Sunday that the deceased's body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for a postmortem examination.
Rocketparrot News that both the deceased and another youth were detained by the police to quell a street altercation between two youth groups during the Valentine's celebration in the state.
Initial reports suggest that the incident started on February 15, 2025, when a dispute between two families on Ogbomo Street, Ifon, escalated into a public brawl. Officers from Ifon Division, led by an Inspector, responded quickly, intervened, and made arrests, while several suspects managed to escape.
Hours after their detention, Bobade appeared weak and was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical care, where he was later declared dead while receiving treatment.
An eyewitness stated, “The situation infuriated the other boys, who were friends of the deceased, leading them to the divisional police station, where they chased away the officers and ignited the inferno.”
Confirming the situation, the Commissioner of Police for Ondo State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, condemned the attack and arson at the Divisional Police Station, calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
During a visit to the impacted areas amidst the turmoil, Afolabi met with the Local Government Chairman, community leaders, and other stakeholders. In his speech, he conveyed condolences from the Inspector General of Police to the family of the deceased, denouncing the assault on the station, and asserting that such acts of lawlessness will not be tolerated. He pledged that all individuals accountable for this criminal act will face the full force of the law.
He urged the public to maintain peace and avoid taking the law into their own hands, assuring that investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow as the inquiry advances.
