The Kwara State Police Comand has reacted to the attack on Malete Divisional Police Headquarters by some aggrieved students of the Kwara State University, Malete, on Thursday, after a raid on suspected black spots by operatives of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency around the school premises.
According to a press release on Friday, 23rd February 2024 signed by the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, said “reports indicated that the gatherings, which began at about 1600hrs, centred around grievances related to the recent raids on black spots around the school’s premises by operatives of NDLEA.
“Students living off campus expressed their dissent, marched from various parts of the town to Okoru Junction close to Malete Police Division, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Say No to NDLEA.”
“In the process, they encountered a white Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number Lagos AGL 574 HZ, occupied by four armed policemen from Ila-orangun led by Inspector Ibrahim Ali and three others on an official assignment to Malete.
“They were mistaken for operatives of drug law enforcement agents. Consequently, the students chased them to Malete Divisional Police Headquarters, where the students began to throw stones into the police station.
“Regrettably, this led to some damages to the rooftop of the station and the windscreen of vehicles parked in the station. The Policemen fired tear gas canisters to disperse the violent crowd and prevent further damage at the police station.
“Additionally, one police officer, PC Fayemi Kehinde, sustained minor injuries as a result of the stones thrown at the police station. He was given first aid treatment at the hospital and discharged,” she added.
She further said that the DPO Shao Division and three other tactical teams are presently on the ground to support the efforts in de-escalating the situation.
The state Police Commissioner, Victor Olaiya, has urged all students of KWASU involved in the attack to exercise some restraints and work towards resolving issues through peaceful dialogue.
