By Damilola Kushimo
More facts are emerging on how policemen and stakeholders repelled attempts by hoodlums to burn police stations in Isolo town during the EndSARs violence.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Aswani Police Station, CSP Oyin Frances, who disclosed the tactics, said the police worked closely with the residents to protect the assets, adding that the police officers were on alert to tackle the hoodlums.
The DPO commended the community leaders for cooperating with the police during the crisis, saying their efforts greatly helped the police to protect the community.
Ilasa Divisional Police Station was the only police station destroyed out of the five stations in the entire council area.
During the crisis, one police officer at Ilasa police station was reportedly killed by the hoodlums, who also carted away more than six rifles and vandalised Police Patrol vans.
Francess described the situation as a ‘trying time’ as she explained that her established community policing technique and cordial relations with the community paid off even as she ascribed all glory to God.
She explained that having heard the news of the hoodlums razing and destroying some police stations in the state, she reached out to Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Alani Agbabiaka, the council Chairman, Hon. Shamsudeen Abiodun and the Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Hon. Adeleke Adegboyega, who provided support for the division by ensuring that the youths in the community had their hands on deck in supporting the police officers to form an impenetrable defence in all strategic places that lead into the community.
She recalled how she ensured that the round-the-clock surveillance was intensified and sustained during the crisis by sufficiently providing meals and drinks for the youths to encourage them.
“On that very day when Ilasa and Orile Stations were burnt, we felt their (the hoodlums) presence here too in Aswani Division so, we decided to stay outside so that we won’t be caught unaware, we planted boys at the entrances of Isolo and the station to avoid
infiltration and any form of attacks. I had to do what I have to do to sustain the efforts, to encourage the boys, I got a caterer on the street who started cooking for us daily.
“They (the hoodlums) tried to enter through the expressway but we repelled them. They made two or three other attempts which we forestalled successfully and that was how we were able to ensure that lives and properties in Isolo Community especially the international market, the council secretariat, our station and other community heritage were protected during the crisis,” she said.
