Pandemonium erupted in Abeokuta metropolis, the Ogun State capital yesterday following the killing of a betting agent identified as Abiodun Anu-Oluwapo by police operatives who were on a “Show Of Force” exercise in the state.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that Anuoluwapo, a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta was killed by a police officer.
An eyewitnesses said Anu-Oluwapo, operated a Bet9ja sports betting shop in front of a popular hotel, First Point, in Imala area of Abeokuta, and was closing his shop for the day when he was hit.
It was gathered that the police officers emerged from a popular hotel in the area and one of them released the bullet that killed the sports betting agent, another eyewitness said the operatives were either on a raid or chasing a suspect in the area when one of them accidentally fired the shot that killed the man popularly called Pepe in front of his shop.
The incident infuriated youths in the area who gathered in their scores, vowing to avenge the death of one of them.
This made police operatives to immediately retreat into the hotel from where they called for backup before they later left the hotel, about three hours later, shooting sporadically to pave way for their exit Friday night.
Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, confirmed the death of the sports betting agent, but refuted the allegation of drunkenness on the part of the operatives.