A yet-to-be identified commercial motorcyclist, popularly called okada rider, was allegedly killed by a policeman in Ipogun town in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday evening.
The policeman, whose name had yet to be identified as of the time of filing this report, was said to be a security aide to a House of Representatives candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Tajudeen Adefisoye.
According to a source, the candidate had gone to the town at about 6.30pm to campaign ahead of the forthcoming election when the incident happened.
The source said, “The candidate went to campaign at Ipogun town, so the okada riders in large numbers approached him. It was in the process that one of the police aides to the candidate shot one of the okada riders in the head and he died instantly.”
The source added that the incident sparked off a protest by the deceased’s friends as they attempted to lynch the politician, who was able to escape from the scene.
Two of the vehicles in his convoy were reportedly burnt by the angry youths.
However, all efforts to reach the SDP candidate were unsuccessful as his telephone line indicated that his mobile telephone was switched off.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident but said he had not been fully briefed.
“I can confirm that an incident happened in the town and one person was killed but I have not got the details,” Joseph said.