Oyo police warn protesting youths against violence

Following the protest over scarcity of fuel and new naira notes in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday, the state police command has warned youths to avoid being used by agents of violence.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said command was fully prepared to mobilise fully to prevent the criminal elements from turning the state into their playground.

He said available intelligence revealed that certain unscrupulous elements have perfected plans to hijack the current situation by attacking places of interest.

Osifeso said, “Member of the public are hereby advised especially with reference to the youth segment to avoid being used by agents of violence who want to capitalize on the situation to criminally enrich themselves especially as we navigate towards the 2023 general elections as the command is fully prepared to mobilise fully to prevent these criminal elements from turning the state into their playground.

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“The state police command wishes to inform members of the public to stay calm and maintain peace even amidst pockets of protest that have emanated at different parts of the metropolis over hike in fuel pump price and unavailability of cash for dispense at ATM machines and Point of sales Terminal especially within the capital.

“Worthy of note is that available intelligence reveals that certain unscrupulous elements have perfected plans to hijack the process, escalating the situation into full scale chaos by shutting down and attacking places of interest which includes but not limited to INEC facilities, banks, media houses, schools, correctional centres and other critical infrastructures inclusive of looting major malls and business centers within the state.

“Consequent on the above, residents would witness high octane patrols in concert with relevant sister security agency all in a bid to heighten the level of confidence of residents and as well reassure them of the commitments of the state police command at providing comprehensive security for all residents in the state.”

The command, therefore, advised the people to go about their businesses without any fear of harassment or molestation as the relative tranquility within cannot be negotiated with unscrupulous and criminal elements.