Police Officer Kills Graduate at Palms Mall, Ibadan

An officer of the Nigeria Police Force has reportedly killed a graduate of the Ibadan Polytechnic on Sunday night at the Palms Mall, Ringroad, Ibadan.

The young man, Akinola Babatunde, who graduated a few weeks ago, was said to have been shot while resisting an attempt to arrest him by policemen who had been drafted to the premises.

He was said to have been caught smoking substance suspected to be marijuana.

An eyewitness, who spoke didn’t want his name published, alleged that “he was about to be arrested when he tried escaping through ShopRite perimeter fencing. So one of the police officers pulled the trigger twice, and he died immediately”.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has denied involvement in the killing. Its spokesperson, Mr Adewale Osifeso, said it was a case of ‘cult-related violence’.

“Comprehensive investigations are ongoing to apprehend all the culprits involved. Updates would be provided in due course, please,” he said.