Pandemonium on Saturday erupted in Abeokuta, Ogun State following the killing of a betting agent identified as Abiodun Anuoluwapo by a trigger-happy police officer late Friday night.
It was gathered that Anuoluwapo, a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, operated a Bet9ja shop in front of a popular hotel, First Point, in the Imala area of Abeokuta, and was closing his shop for the day when he was gunned down.
An eyewitness, who spoke under the condition of anonymity alleged that the officers who emerged from the hotel were drunk before one of them released the bullet.
Another eyewitness reported that the officers were either on a raid or chasing a suspect when one of them accidentally killed Anuoluwa, popularly called Pepe, who was in front of his shop.
It was further gathered that the officers immediately escaped into the hotel and called for backup before they later escaped from the hotel, about three hours later.
The eyewitnesses further revealed that the officers and the backup shot sporadically to pave way for their escape from the scene.
“The guy owned a shop opposite the hotel. The police were chasing someone or on raid and there was accidental discharge, the stray bullet hit the guy and the guy died immediately
“The youth in the area tried to hold down the policemen and 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 past 11pm. The incident happened around 8pm.
“As they were trying to disperse the protesting youths, they kept shooting a lot of guns. In fact, fear gripped everybody. More youths were also hit by guns but they survived it. One of the survivors name is Hassan, he also has a shop nearby,” an eye witness said.
They also accused police officers of coming to the area and the popular hotel to drink beer.
When contacted, Omolola Odutola, the State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident.
She however added that the State Commissioner of Police has made contacts with all stakeholders involved to start investigation.
“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,” she said.
