The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of Waris, a traditional leader of Apana Compound in Adeta, Ilorin, following an incident during the state's environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday.

LEADERSHIP reported that Waris was chased by a Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) official, Tunde Akewu, after allegedly violating environmental regulations. He fell during the pursuit and later died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), where he was referred after initial treatment at Adewole Cottage Hospital.

State Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo confirmed Waris's death and stated that KWEPA official Tunde Akewu had been arrested over the incident. However, he clarified that police were not directly involved in the chase but intervened to restore order in the affected area.

Ojo disclosed that Waris' death triggered a violent reaction from irate youths, who set a KWEPA operational Hummer bus on fire and later attempted to storm the Adewole Police Station, where Akewu was being held.

The attack, he said, was, however, successfully repelled by policemen.

CP Ojo confirmed that a second task force official was attacked, beaten to stupor, and locked inside a toilet by an angry mob, adding that policemen intervened promptly and rescued the official.

The commissioner of Police urged the public to remain calm and allow investigation to take its due course, assuring that justice would be served in the matter.