Tension erupted in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, as angry youths set a police division on fire following the alleged death of a young man in police custody.
According to reports, the victim was allegedly tortured to death, sparking outrage among residents and friends. Though the incident occurred on Saturday evening, full details were still unclear as of Sunday.
Sources in Ifon, a border community with Edo State, revealed that the unrest was linked to an earlier crisis on Valentine’s Day. Upon learning of the young man’s death, protesters mobilized and stormed the police station in a charged demonstration, overpowering the officers on duty before setting the facility ablaze.
Confirming the incident, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated that additional officers had been deployed to the town. She further disclosed that Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, was already on his way to Ifon to restore calm and prevent further violence.
Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.