The police in Oyo State have denied responsibility in the death of Husma Akinola Babatunde, who was killed on Sunday at Palms Mall in Ibadan.
The police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, described reports blaming the police for the death of the ND2 student of Banking and Finance, the Polytechnic Ibadan, as fake and misleading.
The Command assured residents that the security architecture of Oyo State remains resolute and fortified daily with intelligence driven upgrades.
Osifeso said the Command received a distress call at about 9 p.m on Sunday, 25th of July, 2021 from Palms Mall, Ring Road Ibadan that some suspected cultists/hoodlums invaded the building premises in pursuit of their target who was shot and later confirmed dead at the hospital.
The statement read further, that in swift response, several Police patrol teams were immediately drafted to the scene but the perpetrators had escaped before arrival.
He added that information garnered through CCTV footages, crime scene analysis, residents and customers scampering for safety at the time, revealed that the shootings were carried out by hoodlums and not the Police in what seemed like a reprisal for a cult related fracas.
“While comprehensive investigations is ongoing, the Command wishes to refute these unfounded tales, aimed at promoting panic, apprehension, and instigating violence against the Police”, he added.
The statement enjoined members of the public to desist from spreading unverified news, adding that perpetrators of the dastardly act would soon be tracked and made to face justice.