the police have arrested suspects in the lynching of a naval officer by a mob in Idoani, Ose local government area of Ondo state.
The officer, M. Akingbohun, attached to the Marine High School in Imeri, Ido-Ani, was badly beaten with sticks and iron bars on Monday after a minor traffic accident.
State police spokesman Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said six suspects allegedly lynched the naval officer, adding that some of them have been detained.
“On a Sunday, Olaoluwa of Iyayu Quarters, Ido-ani reported that his friend, a marine staff member attached to Imeri Marine High School by the name of Akingbohun M., was attacked by a six-man mob led by an ‘Oyibo’ due to an altercation. that arose from a minor accident between a motorcycle and a pedestrian,” said Ms. Odunlami-Omisanya.
“The suspects used irons and planks to beat the victim. The victim was taken to the General Hospital, Idoani, where his death was confirmed.”
The police spokesman said that some of the suspects have been arrested, in a text message sent to our reporter in response to his inquiry.
She, however, did not give the number of people arrested.
As of Tuesday, the youths were reportedly fleeing the city fearing that naval officers might launch a retaliatory attack.
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Speaking about the incident, Ose local government chairman Dennis Adekunle condemned the naval officer’s murder, describing it as gruesome.
He urged residents to remain calm and called on naval officers to apply minimal force in the search for those involved in the murder, for the sake of peace.
However, Ms Odunlami-Omisanya said that no one was being harassed in the city.