The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports that a motorcyclist was shot by police officers during an incident at Oyun Bridge in Ilorin, describing a video circulating on social media as misleading.
The Command, in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said no person was shot during the incident.
According to the police, the incident occurred while officers were conducting routine patrol and stop-and-search operations around Oyun Bridge.
The Command said a 23-year-old motorcyclist, identified as Abdurasaq Lukman, allegedly approached the area at high speed and knocked down one of the officers, Corporal Saka Azeez, who was carrying out his duties at the location.
The impact, police said, left the corporal with serious head injuries and a fracture, while Lukman sustained minor injuries.
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“Other officers at the scene immediately responded by taking both the injured officer and the motorcyclist to a medical facility for treatment,” the statement said.
The police disclosed that Lukman was treated and subsequently discharged from the hospital. He is currently in police custody to assist with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Corporal Azeez, however, remains under medical care and is expected to undergo further medical examination and scans to determine the full extent of his head injuries.
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The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, urged members of the public to exercise caution when sharing information, particularly on social media.
The Command acknowledged the concerns of citizens regarding police activities but stressed the importance of verifying information before circulating it in order to prevent unnecessary anxiety and misunderstanding.
The police said investigations into the incident are ongoing and assured the public that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be properly established.
The Command also appealed to members of the public to rely on verified information and exercise responsibility when disseminating reports about security-related incidents.
