The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the death of two persons, and arrest of four people in the aftermath of the clash that erupted at Ojoo in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday.
This was as the law enforcement agency stated in a release by its PRO DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Thursday, that normalcy has been restored to the troubled area.
Circumstance of the Ojoo Clash
The Police recalled that there was a mob action at the Strabag Area of Ojoo which subsequently triggered a public disturbance in the early hours of Wednesday, 8 July, 2026.
It was further stated in the release that preliminary investigation revealed that one person, identified as Abeeb Olajide, and three others at large tried to dispossess a Point of Sale (POS) operator of his mobile phone on Tuesday.
The victim was said to have raised the alarm, attracting members of the public who apprehended Olajide, while the three others fled the scene.
Olajide was said to have been severely assaulted by the mob before he was rescued and taken to a nearby medical centre where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
The other dead victim, identified as Kamorudeen Abdulrasheed, was reported to have died at hospital from injuries allegedly sustained as a result of the unrest.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that at about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 7 July, 2026, four young men arrived at a Point of Sale (POS) outlet in the Strabag area, aboard a commercial tricycle to purchase mobile data.
“During the transaction, they allegedly attempted to dispossess the POS operator of his mobile phone.
“The victim immediately raised an alarm, attracting members of the public who apprehended one of the suspects, identified as Abeeb Olajide, while the other three fled the scene.
“The apprehended suspect was severely assaulted by the mob before he was rescued and rushed to a nearby medical facility.
“He was subsequently referred to the State Hospital, Moniya, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment,” it was stated in the release.
The incident, it was added, led to the escalation of tension within the community as aggrieved groups reportedly mobilised for a reprisal attack, resulting in a breakdown of law and order in parts of the Strabag axis.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed the swift deployment of adequate operational and tactical assets to the affected area.
“Owing to the magnitude of the disturbance and the presence of large groups armed with dangerous weapons, the command immediately reinforced the said area with additional personnel’s who were drawn from various formations across the state.
“The Command also worked in close collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun).
“Their coordinated response successfully restored normalcy, prevented further escalation, and ensured that no additional lives were lost at the scene of the disturbance.
“Regrettably, one person, identified as Kamorudeen Abdulrasheed, was reported to have died at hospital, from injuries allegedly sustained as a result of the unrest.
“The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under discreet investigation to ascertain the exact cause and circumstances,” it was added.
The Command also recorded the burning of six makeshift shops containing picked and condemned plastic materials during the unrest.
This was as personnel of the Oyo State Fire Service were promptly contacted and responded swiftly to extinguish the fire, thereby preventing its spread to adjoining properties.
It was disclosed that four suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku.
A comprehensive investigation was said to have commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attempted robbery, the mob action, the ensuing public disturbance, and all related acts of criminality.
The Command condemned, in strong terms, the act of jungle justice and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands under any circumstance.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to report crimes and assist law enforcement, it emphasised that suspects should always be handed over to the Police for lawful investigation and prosecution.
Residents were further urged to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, while community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders were encouraged not to allow criminal elements to exploit the unfortunate incident to foment ethnic or communal unrest.
The Command assured residents that adequate security measures have been emplaced across the affected area and other strategic locations within the metropolis to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.
The Command appreciated the cooperation, understanding and support of law-abiding residents throughout the operation and reassured the people of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property.
The Command equally assured that all persons found culpable in connection with the Ojoo Clash will be made to face the full weight of the law.
