One dead as policemen clash with OPC in Ogun.

 

It was a bloody Sunday in Sagamu area of Ogun State as an operative of Global Concept Limited, one of the companies licensed by the Federal Government to protect Nigeria National Petroleum Coporation,  NNPC, pipelines, was shot dead, while one other was injured during a clash with policemen.

Four policemen have, however, been arrested in connection with the alleged killing of the operative, identified as Mufutau Jimoh.

It was gathered that the NNPC surveillance team was taking impounded vehicles from vandals to Mosinmi deport when the team of policemen intercepted them.

How it started

There were, however, different accounts as to how trouble started.

A version said the policemen ordered the release of the arrested vandals and impounded vehicle, thereby leading to an argument.

Another version said officials of the surveillance team allegedly attempted to disarm the policemen during the argument.

‘Policemen shot at us’

The commandant of the surveillance team, Mr. Seyi Oduyoye, said: “We were taking the vehicles we impounded from the vandals and the petroleum product to NNPC depot when suddenly the police monitoring team blocked us and opened fire on our members, killing one and injuring another.

“When they were stopped by the policemen, they came out and showed the policeman their identity cards, which were collected by the policemen and an argument ensued.

“As we were trying to pacify the policemen, one of them brought out his gun angrily and shot at the driver at close range, while the other occupant in the vehicle was also injured.”

Policeman 

One of the leaders of the surveillance team, Mr. Rasaq Adebisi, said: “On Saturday, we heard that the vandals were planning to carry out another operation at Arepo. Then we decided to lay ambush, instead of attacking them.

“We succeeded in arresting two of the vandals and recovered about seven vehicles fully loaded with 50 litres jerry cans of petroleum product from the vandals.

“We are guided by law as a security surveillance team and was taking the apprehended vehicles and products to the NNPC depot at Mosinmi, when we were intercepted by policemen who opened fire on two of our men at Sagamu round about.

“I was surprised when one of the vehicle drivers was shot dead by the policemen. I believe we are all fighting the same cause.

”Immediately they shot and injured our members, they all escaped from the scene and one of the victims, who was seriously injured, is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Sagamu. “

Contracted policemen

Vanguard gathered that a businesswoman (names withheld), who deals in oil business at Arepo, was the one that contracted the policemen to help her recover the vehicles and the products from the security surveillance team.

It was also gathered that when the team impounded the vehicles and the product, the woman bribed the security men to release the vehicles and the petroleum product but they declined.

She was said to have then contacted the policemen to help her.

Officers arrested

Meanwhile, four policemen have been arrested in connection with the killing.

Police sources said officials of the private security firm attempted to disarm their men, who were on a patrol around the area and in the process, the gun went off and the bullet hit the deceased.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the police would not condone any act of indiscipline, explaining that immediately report reached the Police, the policemen who were involved were arrested.

Efforts to reach Ogun State Police imagemaker, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, failed as he did not take calls to his phone.

Vanguard news.