The Nigeria Police Force, Osun Command, says two of its officers were shot on Wednesday by suspected hoodlums protesting over the appointment of new Akirun of Ikirun by the state government.

“The hoodlums shot two police officers and injured two fire service personnel,” said the state police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, on Wednesday in Osogbo. 

Ms Opalola said the police did not fire a shot at any civilian, but rather the suspected hoodlums shot two police officers.

Ms Opalola said aside from the police officers that were shot, the hoodlums also attacked two firefighters.

She said the state Commissioner of Police, Feleye Olaleye, was miffed about the incident despite several earlier peace meetings.

“It would be recalled that yesterday (Tuesday), the Commissioner of Police held another round of peace meetings with the contending parties on the need to allow peace to reign in Ikirun and the state in general.

“All the parties consented to maintain peace, but the Commissioner of Police is surprised to learn about the attack on security personnel, fire brigade personnel and the burning of the Akirun of Ikirun Palace by armed hoodlums,” she said.

She explained that while some policemen were at Akinrun’s palace to protect those renovating it, some armed hoodlums shot at the police officers deployed to the palace.

Ms Opalola said the gunshots injured one Inspector Obajobi Adedokun and Inspector Raji Abiodun, adding that the officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

She added that the hoodlums also set the Akinrun’s Palace ablaze and attacked the firefighters’ truck to put out the fire, thereby injuring two fire brigade personnel.

“The commissioner, therefore, charged parents and guardians to warn their wards to stop this uncivilised act of violence and toe the path of peace.

“He sternly warned that anyone found culpable in this unwarranted violence/attack will face the full wrath of the law,” Ms Opalola said.

At least one person was reportedly shot dead, while part of the palace of the Akirun of Ikirun in the Ifelodun Local Government area of Osun, locked over the kingship tussle, was burnt when some people were trying to gain entrance to the palace. 

(NAN)