Peter Dada, Akure

Social and economic activities were paralysed in Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Wednesday as residents of the community protested against increase in crime rate in the area in recent times.

The residents specifically protested against the alleged laxity of the police in the area which led to the escape of an armed robbery suspect in their custody.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested by the vigilante group in the town and handed over to the police on Sunday but the suspect escaped from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment, despite the presence of policemen assigned to keep watch over him.

The protesters barricaded the Akungba- Akoko-Ikare Akoko road and other major roads in the town for several hours to press home their demand.

The residents demanded the redeployment of the police Area Commander in charge of Ikare-Akoko Area Command, ACP Razak Rauf, for allegedly aiding criminals in the area.

They alleged that criminal activities in the community had been on the increase since the police boss was deployed in the area.

In his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, who confirmed the escape of the robbery suspect, said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Undie Adie, had ordered full investigation into the matter.

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Joseph said, “We are aware of the incident and the CP has ordered investigation and any officer that is found to go against our code of conduct in the matter will not go unpunished.”
https://punchng.com/police-aided-suspected-robbers-escape-ondo-community/

Chai

Seriously serious