Tension has gripped Ifonyintedo community in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State following the killing of a young man identified as Owolabi Oniyiku by police officers at a checkpoint.
On Wednesday, officers attached to the Idiroko Border Patrol Team allegedly fired a shot, hitting Oniyiku in the chest.
An 18-second video of the lifeless body also went viral, with youths shouting, “Police officers in Idiroko have killed someone.”
It was learnt that a police patrol checkpoint was set ablaze on Tuesday night. Reacting to the incident, the security operatives mounted a roadblock on Wednesday.
It was in the process that Oniyiku, who had returned home to celebrate the Oro festival with family and friends, ran into the police.
A source said the victim was on his way to the Ilashe garage when he was shot.
He said, “After the festival, his friend decided to return to Sango-Ota on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Oniyiku reportedly volunteered to take him on his motorcycle to Ilashe Garage.
“On their way, they met a blocked road in the Ifejido area where a police checkpoint had been affected by the earlier attack. Oniyiku reportedly saw some of his friends whose motorcycles had been seized.
“He stopped and began pleading with the officers to release one of the bikes. The situation degenerated into an argument. In the process, an officer allegedly shot Oniyiku in the chest. He died at the scene.”
The killing sparked a violent protest by youths against the security operatives.
The protesters also reportedly burnt down a police station in the community and took the victim’s corpse to the Idiroko Area Command, demanding justice.
State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed the incident, said the officers involved had been arrested and the Command was investigating the case.
