Osun Hostel Raid: Two Policemen Detained Over Alleged Assault On Students

Two police officers have been detained by the Zone 11 Police Headquarters, Osogbo, Osun State, over alleged brutality and the invasion of students’ hostels at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday during an operation allegedly carried out by officers attached to the Cybercrime Unit of the police formation.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer, Zone 11, Tunji Ojedele, confirmed the detention of the officers to journalists yesterday, saying they were identified by some of the victims and subsequently detained for further investigation.

Ojedele said, “The officers involved have been detained for further investigation. Two of them were identified by the suspects.”

The development followed a complaint lodged by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West, which accused the police officers of assaulting students during the hostel operation.

No fewer than 16 students were reportedly arrested during the exercise.

Reacting to the incident, the NANS South-West Coordinator, Josiah Adeyemo, described the alleged conduct of the officers as disturbing, noting that it was inconsistent with the principles of professional policing.

Following the complaint, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, Bassey Ewah, reportedly ordered the immediate release of the arrested students and directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The detention of the two officers is part of the investigation aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged invasion and determining whether the officers involved breached professional policing standards.

Credit: PM Parrot / Punch