NB247
A violent protest erupted at Ifon, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Saturday, following the death of a suspect in police custody.
The deceased was one of the two young men arrested by the police on Friday. Both were allegedly tortured severely by the police until it resulted in the death of one of them.
It was not clear what offences they allegedly committed for which they were held in police custody, but the police had started an investigation into the matter.
Youths in the town on learning of the incident, went on rampage resulting in the razing of a police station.
According to eyewitnesses, the protests began after the family and friends of the deceased were informed of his death.
It was gathered that the mob marched to the family house of the individual who had laid a complaint to the police for which the arrest was made and razed it to the ground.
They then proceeded to the Ifon Divisional Police Station, where they chased away all the officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), and set the station ablaze.
The violence continued on Sunday morning as the youths gathered again to protest.
There was a clash between the mob and a team of police officers deployed to restore order. They however managed to quel the mayhem.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, who responded to the incident by visiting the town, condemned the attack and arson on the Divisional Police Station in Ifon.
He immediately ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident and to bring those responsible to justice.
The Commissioner in the course of his visit met with the Chairman of the Local government, Community leaders and other stakeholders in the community.
Mr Afolabi commiserated with the family of the deceased and condemned the attack on the station as he vowed that such acts of lawlessness will not be tolerated.
He assured that all those responsible for the criminal act would face the full weight of the law.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the laws into their hands.