Environmental Sanitation: Police Not Involved In Incident That Sparked Protests In Ilorin-CP Adekimi Ojo
The police neither played a role nor got involved in the incident that sparked public disturbance in Adeta area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, has submitted.
Recall that the death of a resident of Adeta during the monthly environmental sanitation on Saturday had made angry young people in the area hit the streets in protests and they had not only set a vehicle belonging to Kwara Environmental & Protection Agency (KWEPA) ablaze but had also beaten an official of the agency to a stupor.
The KWEPA official in question later got locked in a toilet and he had remained there until cops rescued him.
Taking questions from journalists including Team@orientactualmags.com at the state police headquarters, Ilorin on Saturday, CP Adekimi Ojo noted that although it has been observed that people do find it convenient to assign blame to the police, cops in the instant case had only played the role of restoring normalcy.
The Police Chief summitted that according to information made available to him, a man, who had violated the ‘movement restriction order’ was being chased by a KWEPA official, Tunde Akewu and in the process, the alleged violator fell down and lied unconsciously, he was rushed to the Cottage Hospital and later taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where he died.
The angry residents seized Akewu and he was later arrested by the police and kept in custody at Adewole Police Station. The protesters later sought to attack the police station but were repelled.
The police later got to know that a KWEPA official had gotten beaten to stupor and got locked in a toilet and steps were taken to rescue him.
In a related development, Kwara State Fire Service also said first responders were attacked by residents of Adeta while responding to a distress call in the area on Saturday.
The firefighters were there after being informed that a vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Environment was on fire at the Adeta Roundabout, Ilorin.
‘Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the firefighters were unexpectedly attacked by a mob.
This unprovoked assault disrupted emergency operations and resulted in the windshield of our fire appliance being damaged.
Fortunately, no firefighter sustained any injuries during the incident’ spokesman for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, submitted in a statement he issued in Ilorin on Saturday.
The Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, he noted, has strongly condemned the act of violence against the first responders and urged all citizens of the state to remain law-abiding and peaceful.
The fire service, he added, remains committed to protecting lives and property while urging the public to support fire fighters and show cooperation during emergency operations-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
