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A 35-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Sanni Salisu, died on Tuesday in Moniya, Ibadan, after he suddenly slumped during a police stop-and-search operation, an incident that later sparked violence in the area and led to the burning of a police outpost.
The Oyo State Police Command said two officers attached to the Kara Police Outpost were carrying out a stop-and-search when they intercepted Salisu, who was riding a motorcycle.
According to the police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, things escalated quickly when the rider suddenly developed what looked like an epileptic seizure during the encounter.
He said the man slumped on the spot and became unresponsive, forcing the officers to rush him to Modupe Hospital in Akinyele. But doctors at the hospital confirmed him dead on arrival.
News of his death spread fast in the community, and what followed was anger on the streets of Moniya. Some residents accused the police of wrongdoing, even though the Command insisted the man died from a sudden medical emergency.
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Before long, a group of youths mobilised and attacked the Kara Police Outpost, setting parts of the building on fire.
Three motorcycles and a Mazda pick-up patrol vehicle were also burnt during the chaos, while one police officer reportedly suffered serious burns.
The police later brought in reinforcement to restore calm and arrested the officers involved in the stop-and-search operation. The Command said they have been taken into custody as investigation continues.
Salisu’s body has been moved to the Adeoyo State Hospital Mortuary in Ibadan for autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death.
The police have urged residents to remain calm, warning against spreading unverified claims, as tension in the area has since reduced.
