On March 30, Odufarasin had altercations with members of his community during a naming ceremony. The quarrel led to him allegedly shooting three people and stabbing another two. The inspector was arrested, but later granted bail.
His release is generating tension and controversy among residents. While some said he shouldn’t have been released, because he was guilty, others insisted Odufarasin didn’t shoot anyone, but was rather a victim of a certain group in the community.
Odufarasin was alleged to have shot Ganiu Muritala, Bayo Iwalokun and one Isiaka. He also allegedly stabbed one Ogunbaju Ade and another victim. Odufarasin, attached to the Inspector-General of Police Anti- Pipeline Vandalism Unit, and lived on the street, was said to have started shooting because the ceremony was held without his “permission.”
The matter was reported at the Ijora Badia Police Division and Odufarasin was arrested. One of the shot victims, Murtala Ganiu survived to tell his story. His mother, Mrs. Ramat Ganiu, said: “My son was returning from work at Ijora-Olopa when flying bullets hit him. The bullets were from the gun of Odufarasin.
The incident happened on March, 30, Since that day, my husband and I had spent over N150, 000. We have exhausted all our savings. My son was injured on his buttock and thigh.” Narrating his ordeal, Ganiu said: “I was returning from work when I saw people running. I didn’t know why, but I immediately started running too. I suddenly felt something hit me. After running for some few minutes, I fell down.
Some youths in our community rushed me to a private hospital. I was later referred to general hospital; pellets were extracted from my body.” Ogunbanjo, another victim, said he was trying to caution Odufarasin when the man brought out a dagger and stabbed him. Ogunbanjo explained: “During the naming ceremony, two of our younger brothers started fighting. The matter was promptly settled.
Before we knew what was happening, Odufarasin was shouting at the top of his voice. He asked why they were fighting. He suddenly went into his apartment, returned with two rifles and started shooting sporadically.” Members of the community scampered for safety.
When the dust settled, it was discovered that flying bullets had hit three people. Some leaders in the community, including a traditional ruler, have accused some residents of spreading falsehood about Odufarasin.
The secretary of Joint Community Development Association (Badia), Mr. Omonisi, wondered how Odufarasin who was alleged to have shot the youth would equally shot himself on his hands and chest at the same time.
Omonisi said: “Some pellets were removed from Odufarasin’s hands. The one at the chest couldn’t be removed because the doctor said that the area was too sensitive. These shots were fired by boys led by a notorious political thug whose name I’ll simply give as Kayode.”
The traditional ruler, Oba Fatai Ojora, explained that Odufarasin was returning home after receiving a distress call that his house was on fire when he ran into a crowd of youth celebrating the birth of a baby.There was an altercation, followed by gunshots.
Ojora said: “Odufarasin is an asset to the community. He was attacked by youths who saw his presence in the community as a threat. He has assisted the community in the past few years to reduce violent crimes amongst the youth to the barest minimum. I have called on the two parties to settle the matter amicably.”
A medical practitioner in the community, Doctor Quadri Barakat, said: “Odufarasin’s problem with some of the youth in the area, mostly street urchins, might be connected to his desire to rid Ijora community of criminals.
Odufarasin was brought up in the community. In 2014, he formed a vigilante group with other well-meaning youths and elders of the community. The group used to fish out criminals in the area.
This didn’t go down well with some hoodlums.” According to the doctor, in 2014, no fewer than 50 vehicles were once vandalised by hoodlums in the area.
These hoodlums looted shops and killed three youths. Barakat added: “Odufarasin and his crime fighting partners formed the vigilance group called Idera-Ilu (peace and progress of the community). Several suspected persons were arrested and prosecuted. Today, no fewer than five persons are serving sentences at the Ikoyi Prisons.”
The Community Development Association chairman, Mr. Saka Yusuf, said that Ijora Badia consists of no fewer than 100 streets.
He said there was no street in the area where peace reigned until 2014 after Odufarasin and others came up with the idea of Idera-Ilu. According to him, banditry, rape, cultism, looting of shops and vandalism of vehicles were the order of the day. He said that Odufarasin and his group restored sanity to the community.
Yusuf urged the police top hierarchy to assist the community in clamping down on the few disgruntled elements operating in the community.He said: “The police should carry out proper investigation into the allegations levelled against Inspector Odufarasin.”
Another community member, Mr. James Abifarin, said Odufarasin’s efforts in in fighting crimes in the community led to notorious youths being imprisoned. Abifarin said: “It used to be everyday attack on citizens.
But soon as Idera-Ilu came into being, several arrests were made by the police based on report to them by members of the vigilance group. I urge the police and state government to investigate the shooting incident which led to the shooting of Inspector Odufarasin and others."
http://newtelegraphonline.com/tension-shooting-residents-ganiu-ogunbanjo-l-inspectors/
No comments:
Post a Comment