Date: 2020-07-21

PRESS RELEASE

20/07/2020

RE: YOUTH PROTEST INCREASE COST OF MARIJUANA IN ILORIN

The Kwara State Police Command wishes to debunk news report published by some news media captioned above as untrue and misleading. To set the record straight, on 14/07/2020, at about 1900hr, information received by the DPO, Oloje Division indicated that youths of Oloje and Alore areas of Ilorin were engaging in a free for all fight at Oloje Junction. The DPO acted promptly by drafting a police patrol team to the area. The arrival of the police team brought the situation under control. Investigation however revealed that fracas broke out when one Soliu Esho 'm' of Alore in Ilorin a hemp smoker went to Oloje to buy N200 Marijuana and demanded for an extra wrap free which the seller refused. The buyer insisted on the free wrap but the seller maintained his ground. The ensuing argument led to a fight between the two. The fight however became free for all when friends of both parties joined in the fight. The arrival of the police team drafted to the scene however brought total calm to the area. The youths on sighting the police patrol vehicle took to their heels, fleeing the scene in different directions. One suspect was however arrested with bruises. He was treated at the police clinic and charged to court the following day. He is presently on remand while efforts are still ongoing to apprehend others who are still at large, including the buyer and the seller.

In the spirit of Community Policing, Kwara state Police Command under the watch of CP Kayode Egbetokun wishes to appeal to members of the public to always give credible information to the police. He assures that such information will be treated in utmost confidentiality and the protection of such informants given utmost priority.

The Command is in collaboration with Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) and other security agencies, working assiduously to rid the State of sales and consumptions of illicit drugs. Members of the press are also advised to always verify stories from appropriate quarters before going public as they are partners in the Community Policing model of the Inspector General of Police as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The present Community Policing initiative is targeted at ensuring a safe and secured Nigerian communities of which Kwara state is part. All stakeholders are therefore advised to embrace this laudable initiative which is designed to change our policing narrative for the good of our communities in Kwara state and in Nigeria as a whole, please.

Dsp Okasanmi Ajayi

Police Public Relations Officer

Kwara State Command

FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE