A protest by outsourced staff of SUMAL Foods in Ibadan turned violent on Monday night, resulting in one confirmed death and the arrest of twelve suspects.
The protest, sparked by delays in implementing approved palliative measures from six months ago, saw demonstrators barricading the major road leading to the company’s entrance from the Mobil filling station end of Ring Road in Ibadan’s South West local government area.
Efforts by protesters to forcefully enter SUMAL Foods were thwarted by police deployed to the scene, leading to allegations of excessive tear gas use and unprofessional conduct. While protesters claimed two fatalities, police confirmed one casualty.
In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer SP Adewale Osifeso clarified, “The Oyo State Police Command addresses the recent violent protests at SUMAL Foods, Oluyole Extension, Ibadan on Monday, 01/07/2024 around 1600hrs.
Initial findings suggest the protest stemmed from misinformation regarding the distribution of palliatives to private companies nationwide, although their specific grievance was alleged denial of welfare packages.”
He added, “Regrettably, criminal elements infiltrated the protest, vandalizing vehicles and property worth millions within the factory premises. One fatality occurred during the unrest.”
Normalcy has since been restored with increased police presence to prevent further incidents.
Twelve suspects have been apprehended, and the case has been escalated to the Homicide Department of the Criminal Investigation Department for investigation, under direct supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
