The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Williams has warned protesters in Ibadan against an attack on government facilities.
The police boss, who made this plea while reacting to protest by some youths in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State over the scarcity of fuel and new naira notes, called for peace and calm among residents of the state.
CP. Adebowale in a press statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Adewale Osifeso, maintained that the State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public to stay calm and maintain peace even amidst pockets of protest that have emanated at different parts of the metropolis over hike in fuel pump price and unavailability of cash for dispense at ATM machines and Point of Sales terminals especially within the capital.
A copy of the statement made available to OyoAffairs.net, states that available intelligence has revealed that certain unscrupulous elements have perfected plans to hijack the process, escalating the situation into full scale chaos by shutting down and attacking places of interest which includes but not limited to INEC facilities, banks, media houses, schools, correctional centres and other critical infrastructures inclusive of looting major malls and business centres within the state.
Members of the public are hereby advised especially with reference to the youth segment, to avoid being used by agents of violence who want to capitalise on the situation to criminally enrich themselves especially as we navigate towards the 2023 general elections as the command is fully prepared to mobilise fully to prevent these criminal elements from turning Oyo State into their playground.
Consequent on the above, residents would witness high octane patrols in concert with relevant sister security agencies all in a bid to heighten the level of confidence of residents as well as reassure them of the commitments of the Oyo State Police Command at providing comprehensive security for all residents in the state.
Lastly, the good people of Oyo State are advised to go about their businesses without any fear of harassment or molestation as the relative tranquility within cannot be negotiated with unscrupulous and criminal elements.
Meanwhile, in cases of emergency, the command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (toll free) (OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND), and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614. The NPF rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and I phone users respectively.
