By Micheal Ofolue

A suspected hoodlum identified as Saheed Kareem, 40, has been arrested by the Police in Osun State, who allegedly ambushed a police team deployed to the warring Osun communities, opened fire on the officers and also set their patrol vehicle ablaze.

The Hope Metro gathered that the suspect with others at large attempted to murder the Divisional Police Officer of Ilobu, SP Akanmu Adebowale and six other officers, by shooting them and setting their vehicle on fire during the Ilobu and Ifon-Osun communal clash between September 17 and October 4, this year.

It was gathered that seven security agents sustained varying degrees of injuries. While some had been treated at the hospital they were rushed to, others were said to be on admission.

Kareem was also accused of breaching the peace, by attacking residents of the two communities during the land boundary clash that claimed about eight lives and also destroyed property including houses and shops.

The suspect who was dragged before an Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court, was slammed with twelve count-charge bordering on conspiracy, felony, attempted murder and serious assault.

Some of the counts read, “That you, Saheed Kareem and others now at large, on September 17 and October 4,2023, at about 6:30am at llobu, Osun State, triable in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did conspire with yourselves to commit felony to wit: attempted murder and serious a0ssault and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

“That you, Saheed Kareem and others at large, on same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully shoot one police officer,  SP Akanmu Adebowale with a gun while performing his lawful duty and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

“That you, Saheed Kareem and others at large, on same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully have in your possession 23 cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 514 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

“You did willfully and unlawfully damage a Police Patrol Vehicle and also set it on fire, property of the Nigeria Police and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Cap 34 Vol. II laws of Osun state of Nigeria 2002. Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

The police prosecutor, ASP Elisha Olusegun, identified other officers who were shot as ASP Aborisade Oluyemi, Sgt. Adeleke Damilere, ASP Saidu Jimoh, Inspector Ake Gbenga, Cpl Makanjuola Omisore and PC. Rauf Sheriffdeen.

Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara ordered the defendant to furnish the court with a formal bail application.

Ayilara ordered the remand of Kareem in the Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till December 5, for mention.