Former Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor and APC candidate for Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Dr. Oluwatoyin Emmanuel Taiwo, has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the alleged killing of Mr. Owolabi Oniyiku at a police checkpoint along the Atan–Ita Ifonyintedo axis of Ipokia Local Government Area.
Taiwo, in a statement issued by his media team, also condemned the subsequent burning of two police facilities by aggrieved youths, urging residents of Ifonyintedo, Ipokia and neighbouring communities to remain calm and pursue justice through lawful means.
He described the reported killing as a deeply disturbing development, stressing that no citizen should lose his life under circumstances that raise questions about the conduct of security personnel.
According to him, if the allegations surrounding Oniyiku’s death are established to be true, the officers involved must be identified, investigated and made to face the full weight of the law.
Taiwo urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and other relevant security authorities to urgently get to the root of the matter, particularly amid reports of alleged harassment of motorists and commercial motorcycle operators in the area.
He said the allegations were too serious to be ignored or allowed to fade with time.
The former Chief of Staff, however, stressed that the alleged misconduct of security personnel could not justify the destruction of public property, saying the burning of police stations would only deepen the crisis and create opportunities for criminal elements to exploit the situation.
Taiwo expressed sympathy with the family of the deceased, particularly his wife and newborn child, describing the loss of a husband and father under such circumstances as devastating.
He also called for a comprehensive review of security checkpoints along the Ipokia border corridors, noting that while checkpoints may be necessary for effective border security, they must operate within the law and under clear rules.
He urged security agencies to ensure that legitimate road users are not subjected to arbitrary harassment, intimidation or extortion.
Taiwo further called for stronger engagement between security agencies and traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders in the affected communities.
He said building public confidence in security institutions requires professionalism, communication, accountability and mutual respect.
According to him, reported cases of police-related deaths and previous complaints in the area should also be reviewed to determine whether there are systemic issues requiring urgent intervention.
He urged all stakeholders to avoid inflammatory actions capable of escalating tension, insisting that Ipokia remains a peaceful and resilient community whose residents deserve to go about their daily activities without fear.
Taiwo said the incident should serve as a turning point for the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Oniyiku’s death, correct identified weaknesses and restore public confidence in policing within the border communities.
He insisted that the truth must be established, adding that the family of the deceased deserves justice while responsible police officers must also be protected from unfounded allegations.
“There must be no cover-up, no selective justice and no impunity,” Taiwo said, urging the relevant authorities to conduct a credible investigation and make the outcome known to the public.
He maintained that the sanctity of human life must remain paramount.
