A man identified only as Waris from Apana Compound in Adeta, Ilorin, has died while attempting to escape arrest by officials of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) during a routine environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday.

According to reports, Waris collapsed after falling while running from KWEPA agents who had accused him of violating state sanitation laws. He was initially rushed to Adewole Cottage Hospital before being referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident and disclosed that a KWEPA agent identified as Tunde Akewu has been detained in connection with Waris's death.

Violent Aftermath

The death sparked immediate outrage among local residents, resulting in violent protests. An angry mob set ablaze a KWEPA operational Hummer bus and attempted to attack the Adewole police station where the detained agent was being held. Police officers successfully repelled the attack.

In a separate incident linked to the unrest, another taskforce agent was beaten by protesters and locked in a toilet before being rescued by police officers.

The Commissioner of Police expressed regret over the incident and appealed for calm, urging the public to allow investigators to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Waris's death.

This incident raises questions about enforcement methods used during sanitation exercises and highlights tensions between environmental enforcement agencies and local communities in Kwara State.

Authorities have not yet announced any plans for reviewing KWEPA's operational procedures following this tragic event.