The Oyo State Police Command says normalcy has been restored to the Strabag area of Ojoo, Ibadan, following an incident involving mob action which subsequently triggered a public disturbance in the early hours of Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
It says preliminary investigation revealed that at about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, four young men arrived at a Point of Sale (POS) outlet in the Strabag area aboard a commercial tricycle to purchase mobile data. During the transaction, they allegedly attempted to dispossess the POS operator of his mobile phone.
According to the statement by the state police spokesman, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the victim immediately raised an alarm, attracting members of the public who apprehended one of the suspects, identified as Abeeb Olajide, while the other three fled the scene.
It notes that the apprehended suspect was severely assaulted by the mob before he was rescued and rushed to a nearby medical facility.
“He was subsequently referred to the State Hospital, Moniya, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
“Following the incident, tension escalated within the community as aggrieved groups mobilised for a reprisal attack, resulting in a breakdown of law and order in parts of the Strabag axis.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, immediately directed the swift deployment of adequate operational and tactical assets to the affected area. Owing to the magnitude of the disturbance and the presence of large groups armed with dangerous weapons, the command immediately reinforced the said area with additional personnel’s who were drawn from various formations across the state.
“The Command also worked in close collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun).
“Regrettably, one person, identified as Kamorudeen Abdulrasheed, was reported to have died at Hospital, from injuries allegedly sustained as a result of the unrest.
“The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under discreet investigation to ascertain the exact cause and circumstances.
“The Command also recorded the burning of six makeshift shops containing picked and condemned plastic materials during the unrest. Personnel of the Oyo State Fire Service were promptly contacted and responded swiftly to extinguish the fire, thereby preventing its spread to adjoining properties.
Meanwhile, four suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, where a comprehensive investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attempted robbery, the mob action, the ensuing public disturbance, and all related acts of criminality.
