Claim
There are claims circulating online that a police station was torched on Friday night, following an unconfirmed shooting incident in Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, Ekiti State (the hometown of former Governor Kayode Fayemi).
One of the posts on Facebook reads: ”a police station burnt down at Isan Ekiti North this night, one person killed.”
“It was reported that a Nigerian police brutally k!lled a Young man in the town. Isan Ekiti is the hometown of Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi.
“We call on Biodun Oyebanji to ensure the police is brought to book”.
The claim has garnered 553 likes, 85 comments and 154 shares, indicating high viral possibility.
This claim was also found here and here.
Verification
To verify the claim we checked the X handle of the Nigerian police for statements on the incident. Nothing has been published at the time of fact-checking the claim.
However, an observer with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development in the location, Peter Aderemi, said that a police officer at the station gave a brief on the incident.
“Some guys were playing football around the area on Friday evening and something led to something then they started being violent and put fire to the police station.
According to him, the fire destroyed about four vehicles, one of them, a vehicle brought from the Federal Capital Territory to convey the police officer to and fro election locations.
Image of vehicle burnt by the assailants at the police station
Image of vehicle burnt by the assailants at the police station
Image of vehicle burnt by the assailants at the police station
According to the police officer, Mobile Police personnel intervened this morning, pushing back the assailants and clearing the area.
“Two Police officers were reportedly injured, one is currently in a coma and the other is getting better,” the officer added.
The area is currently secured by police officers while they wait for more reinforcement.
Verdict
The situation in Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, Ekiti State is not politically motivated and is not in connection with the ongoing governorship election in the state.
The police are yet to issue an official statement on the situation.
