Killing of Betting Agent By Trigger-Happy Police Officer, Protests Erupt in Abeokuta

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

In a tragic occurrence on Friday, Abiodun Anuoluwapo, a bet Naija agent at a popular Hotel in the Elega area of Abeokuta, was reported killed by a trigger-happy Police Officer

OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that the young betting agent, Anuoluwapo who was a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta, was actually closing his shop for the day when the incident took place on Friday night. 

Consequent upon the sad occurrence, pockets of protests have erupted on Saturday in the Elega, axis of the relative peaceful state capital Abeokuta.as youths tried to get justice for the deceased who they insist, was gruesomely and unjustifiably murdered by the trigger-happy police officer whose identity is yet to be known.

A source who preferred to remain anonymous claimed that the officers, who emerged from the hotel, appeared to be drunk when one of them fired the shot that took the life of Abiodun Auoluwapo.

Another eyewitness reported that the officers appeared to be on a raid or chasing a suspect when one of them accidentally shot Anuoluwapo, popularly known in the area as Pepe, in front of his shop.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija further reports that the officers immediately retreated into the hotel and called for backup. They remained there for about three hours before escaping. Eyewitnesses also revealed that the officers and their backup fired shots sporadically to facilitate their escape.

"The guy owned a shop opposite First Point Hotel. The police were chasing someone or on a raid, and there was an accidental discharge. The stray bullet hit the guy, and he died immediately," one eyewitness said. 

"The youth in the area tried to hold down the policemen, and they ran into First Point. They had to call for reinforcements, and more police came to rescue them, allowing them to escape later around 11 PM."

As gathered by OPEN TELEVISION Naija from another eyewitness, the incident occurred around 8 PM. “As the police tried to disperse the protesting youths, they fired numerous shots, fear gripped everyone and several youths were hit by bullets but miraculously survived. One of the survivors, named Hassan, also has a nearby shop,” 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija further reports that as at yesterday, bloodstains were visible from the entrance of the shop to the roadside, indicating that the bullet struck Anuoluwapo at the entrance of his shop. 

Some of the youths in the area also claimed that an officer from the Fadage Police Post was the one who fired the shot, while others alleged it was the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Adatan. 

They also accused Police Officers of frequenting the area and the popular hotel to drink beer.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, when contacted, also confirmed the incident, adding that the State Commissioner of Police has reached out to all stakeholders to begin an investigation. 

“We have received information that one Aanu was a victim. It is not easy to determine exactly what happened, but the CP is in touch with the stakeholders. He has called everyone involved so we can start investigating. We are aware and informed, but we are still deliberating on the matter,” she said.

Our correspondent who visited the scene of the sad occurrence on Saturday morning and monitored the situation at the Elega area reports that the area has come under high tension throughout Saturday, leading many residents of Elega estate and adjoining communities to boycott passage of the area, using the Saje entrance to the estate, while many shops remained closed.