The Ekiti State Police Command has debunked online reports by media outfit, Sahara Reporters that a police officer died after a Rapid Response Squad patrol van crushed him while chasing suspected internet fraudsters.
According to Sahara Reporters, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives chasing suspected fraudsters, known as Yahoo boys, hit a police officer, Supol Ayeni who was on a motorcycle along Federal Polytechnic, Ado/Ijan Road.
Sahara reporters emphasised that the reckless driving of the RRS operatives had led to the death of Ayeni.
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Although, in a statement by Spokesperson of the command, ASP Abutu Sunda, the Police admitted to the death of Supol Ayeni, Ngerians were urged to pay no attention.
The Police further claimed that the result was ‘fabricated’ to dent the image of the force.
The statement reads in part, The Command wishes to state clearly that: On the 28/12/2021 at about 18:30hrs, a distress call was received from the DPO IKOLE-EKITI by the Rapid Response Squad(RRS) for reinforcement for the possible arrest of some suspected cultists who have been terrorising the people of Ikole-Ekiti and it’s environs
“Upon the receipt of the report, the RRS Commander deployed three patrol vehicles with adequate operatives to that axis for the operation
“Unfortunately, while on their way, one of the three patrol vehicles developed a mechanical fault, went off its lane and hit an oncoming motorcycle riden by a policeman who had closed from work and was returning home
“The Policeman was rushed to the hospital for medical attention but was confirmed dead by a medical doctor while eight other RRS operatives in the patrol vehicle sustained different degrees of injuries and are currently in the hospital receiving medical attention
“In view of this, the Ekiti State Police Command is at loss at the mental status of the Sahara reporter that propagated the fake news
“The reporter(from Sahara) did not patiently and professionally confirm the story but shamelessly chose to disrespect the life of the policeman that was lost while on national assignment. SaharaRepoters’ action is very disgraceful, unfortunate, ungodly, inhuman and not inline with the practice of good journalism
“Members of the public are therefore, enjoined to disregard and discountenance the news and consider it as one of those fake news on the social media that are aimed at causing unnecessary tension, portray the Nigeria Police Force in bad unpleasant garb and procreate an uprise against the force”, the statement added.
