Two police officers have been shot by Yoruba nation agitators in the Ojota area of Lagos State during a rally on Monday.
This is according to the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, who said the two injured officers are receiving treatment.
Channels Television had reported that a yet-to-be-identified male adult was killed in a clash between Yoruba Nation agitators and the police in Ojota.
Commuters ran for safety in the heat of the pandemonium which broke out on Monday morning.
A source told Channels Television that some agitators came out to demand the Yoruba Nation amongst others and the police came out to curtail them, leading to a clash.
In a statement, Hundeyin said the agitators were disrupting social and commercial activities in the Ojota area under the pretext of the rally.
“A team of police officers, comprising Alausa Division and the Raid Respond Squad (RRS) promptly stepped in to disperse the unlawful gathering and prevent a breakdown of law and order,” he said.
“The miscreants attacked the police, shooting, and destroying two vehicles in the process. One person has been confirmed dead, while two police officers shot by the miscreants are currently receiving treatment.
“Four suspects have been arrested and investigations have commenced. Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored to the area. Lagosians are urged to go about their lawful businesses as measures have been put in place to prevent further breakdown of law and order, and keen monitoring of the situation continues.”
OPC Not Involved In Fracas – Gani Adams
Meanwhile, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, has debunked media reports that members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) were involved in the crisis that erupted in Ojota.
Gani in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said the Ojota rally came as a surprise, adding that none of his members were part of the crisis.
He described media report that members of the OPC were among the agitators was wicked, mischievous, and uncalled for.
According to Adams, the unconfirmed report could trigger crisis and cause unnecessary disaffection between the OPC and sons and daughters of Yoruba race.
“Let me clear the air on the crisis that had engulfed Ojota this morning. There were unconfirmed reports linking members of the OPC to the mayhem. I want to state it clearly that none of our member were at the scene of the incident,” he said.
“OPC is not against the liberation of Yoruba race, however, it is a fact that the struggle for the liberation of Yoruba race is an inalienable right of all Yoruba to champion self-determination. We are not part of the peaceful rally held in Ojota.
“Our position on regionalism is very clear. It is sacrosanct because that is what we are seeking at the moment.
“Nigeria should be restructured to full regional autonomy, where each region will be at liberty to operate at their own pace.”