Victor Akinkuolie ,Ado-Ekiti
Two police officers, Inspector Yakubu Aminu and Sergeant Adesina Kolawole, attached to Afao divisional police station, Ikere-Ekiti yesterday recounted their ordeals during the EndSARS protest in the state.
The two officers appeared before the judicial panel of enquiry into allegation of human rights violation against police officers, including officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other persons, set up by the Ekiti State government.
Giving oral evidence before the panel, the officers claimed that there was no single teargas in their station when the hoodlums attacked their station.
One of the officers, Insp. Yakubu Aminu, claimed that his car with valuable documents was totally razed during attack. While Sergeant Adesina Kolawole claimed that his car 3 Golf was snatched by the hoodlums.
The duo in their separate evidences before the panel, attributed their safety from the hands of protesters to God, saying there was no single canistal in the station on the fateful day their station was attacked.
According to them, “We were on duty on the fateful day, at about 1:30pm when some people suddenly emerged and started throwing stones the station, singing solidarity songs.
“We tried to protect ourselves but no teargas in our station that day. That was why we ran away by scaling through the fence of the station. Before we could come back in the evening, the whole station has been razed down including our cars.
“During the attack, many of our members sustained injuries, while some vehicles which belonged to some police officers were badly damaged.”
There was a twist to the event when the officers were asked to submit the particulars of their vehicles and it was found out that the particulars have expired since 2013 and 2012 respectively.
In further cross examination, the chairman of the panel, Justice Cornelius Akintayo, expressed sadness on the attitude of the police officers and explained that “as a law enforcement agents why will you be going about with an expired documents including your particulars.”
“Looking at the motor vehicles submitted with the panel, it was the photocopy no one of you submitted originals and no driving license and you claimed to be law enforcement agents arresting people who does not have driving license”
He explained that though he was not doubting the fact that two police stations were set ablaze in Ikere-Ekiti, he later adjourned the matter till Thursday 12 for further hearing.