By Ayodele Popoola

The Ondo State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that a police station in the state was attacked by commercial motorcyclists, describing the claims as baseless and misleading.

In a statement released in Akure, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, clarified that no police division in the state experienced any form of attack.

The statement urged residents to disregard the report, stating it was intended to cause unnecessary panic.

Providing details on the incident, the police explained that the misunderstanding stemmed from a demand made by some motorcyclists at the Oka Division following an accident involving one of their colleagues.

According to the statement, the accident occurred along Epinmi Road when a vehicle collided with a motorcyclist, resulting in the rider’s death and injuries to the pillion passenger.

The driver involved in the accident had reported the incident at the Oka Division, prompting police officers to visit the scene.

The deceased’s body was taken to a morgue in Oka, while the injured passenger was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The statement read: “On December 3, 2024, a young man was involved in a fatal motor accident along Epinmi Road and he reported the incident at Oka Police Division. The accident involved his vehicle and a motorcyclist. Police officers from the Oka Division proceeded to the scene of the incident and found the motorcyclist dead and the pillion injured.

“The corpse was moved to a morgue in Oka, and the injured person was taken to the hospital for medical care.

“A group of motorcyclists who witnessed the incident followed the police back to the station, demanding the release of the driver involved in the accident. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) declined their request, explaining the need for due legal process to be followed. After a productive dialogue, the motorcyclists dispersed peacefully.

“It is, therefore, disappointing that an online platform, without verifying the facts, would publish such a fabricated story aimed solely at creating unnecessary tension in the state.”

The Command emphasised that the public should ignore the fake news and trust in its commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state.

Reassuring residents, the Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Peter Oladipo, vowed to strengthen security measures, especially as the festive season approaches, to ensure a safe and hitch-free celebration.