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Tragedy struck in Abeokuta on Friday night when a stray police bullet claimed the life of Abiodun Anuoluwapo, a betting agent in the Imala/Elega area.
The fatal incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about police accountability.As the day drew to a close, Abiodun Anuoluwapo, a young entrepreneur and graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, was wrapping up operations at his betting shop near First Point hotel.
But in an instant, a stray police bullet ended his life, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and unanswered questions.
As this report goes to press, the circumstances surrounding Abiodun Anuoluwapo’s tragic death remain shrouded in uncertainty
According to a confidential source, the officers involved in the shooting had been drinking at the hotel before the fatal incident, while another eyewitness suggests that the police were either conducting a raid or pursuing a suspect when the tragic shot was fired, cutting short the life of Abiodun “Pepe” Anuoluwapo.
It has come to light that the officers promptly fled into the hotel, calling for backup before making a covert departure, raising suspicions about their handling of the situation.
The source said, “The young man owned a shop opposite First Point Hotel. The police were chasing someone or on the raid and there was an accidental discharge, the stray bullet hit the guy and he died immediately.
Read also: Tension As Stray Bullet Kills UNIZIK Student In Anambra
“The youth in the area tried to hold down the policemen but they ran into the hotel. They had to reinforce to get more police to come to rescue them before they were able to run away later around 11 pm. The incident happened around 8 pm.
“As they were trying to disperse the protesting youths, they kept shooting a lot of guns. In fact, fear gripped everybody and the youths in the area were angry over this mindless killing”.
Some of the youths in the area alleged that it was an officer in charge of the Fadage police post who fired the shot, while another alleged that it was the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Adatan who fired the shot.
When contacted for a reaction on Saturday, the Spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident.
Odutola, however, added that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, had made contacts with all stakeholders involved to start an investigation.
She said, “We have gotten the information that one Aanu was a victim. It is not easy to say exactly what happened but the CP is in touch with the stakeholders. He has called everybody involved so that we can start investigating what happened. We are aware, we have been informed, but we are still deliberating on the matter.”
