The police command in Ondo says it has arrested five suspected arsonists in connection with the burning of its Divisional Police Station in Ifon, the headquarters of Ose Local LGA.

Police commissioner Wilfred Afolabi disclosed this while updating reporters on efforts to unravel the cause of the incident. 

“We have succeeded in arresting five suspects, and they are currently in our custody at the headquarters,” Mr Afolabi said on Tuesday. 

The station was torched by irate youths at the weekend after a teenage boy, Tolu Bobade, was allegedly tortured to death in police custody. 

The family of the deceased had on Monday petitioned the Ondo chief judge, Olusegun Olusola, demanding justice for the boy’s death.

While condemning the attack, Mr Afolabi said the family of the victim have the right to seek justice.  He also warned town residents against taking the law into their own hands.

“Ifon cannot function without a police station, and every right-thinking person in the community knows that setting it ablaze was a mistake. When people take such actions, they undermine the rule of law.

“My advice is that in future incidents, we should act with civility and follow due process instead of resorting to violence,” stated Mr Afolabi.

He urged the public to remain calm and allow law enforcement to conduct an investigation, assuring them that justice would be served.

The police command had blamed the attack on the station on a dispute between two family members.