Police mobilised their men and stormed the Amotekun office, injuring many of our personnel in an attempt to forcibly retrieve the suspect
A clash occurred between operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, known as Amotekun Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force in Akure, Ondo State capital.
The altercation arose from a dispute over the custody of a suspect linked to a stolen motorcycle.
The suspect, Tosin Adebisi, was apprehended by Amotekun operatives following a complaint by Rev. Bola Ariyo of Living Word Missionary Baptist Church, who alleged that Adebisi and his gang were terrorizing the Powerline Ijoka area.
Amotekun operatives retrieved the stolen motorcycle and arrested the suspect. However, police officers later arrived and demanded custody of the accused, which Amotekun operatives declined.
The disagreement escalated into a confrontation, with both sides firing gunshots into the air, causing panic among residents in the Alagbaka area.
The situation further intensified when the suspect was taken to the Amotekun office, where more disagreements ensued.
An injured Amotekun officer recounted the events to a reporter while on a hospital bed.
He said, “Police mobilised their men and stormed the Amotekun office, injuring many of our personnel in an attempt to forcibly retrieve the suspect.”
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olushola, attributed the incident to a misunderstanding between the Amotekun Corps and the police regarding the treatment of the suspect.
According to Olushola, Amotekun operatives had allegedly assaulted the suspect, prompting police to intervene.
The police claimed that the suspect’s condition warranted their involvement, and the disagreement over handling the situation led to the confrontation between the two security agencies.
Olushola said, “It is important to note that the police officers were the first to arrive at the scene. However, while they were executing their lawful duties, operatives of the Amotekun Corps arrived in the company of a large group of commercial motorcyclists.
“In a disorderly and commando-like manner, the Amotekun personnel and accompanying individuals forcefully took custody of the suspect and the exhibits, in the process injuring a police officer.
“Subsequently, after intervention and dialogue led by the commanders of both agencies, the suspect and exhibits were returned to the police in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation.
“However, it must be stated that while the matter was being amicably resolved, a few aggrieved members of the Amotekun Corps, unhappy with the release of the suspect, began firing sporadically into the air.
“To prevent a breakdown of law and order and to disperse the agitated crowd without harm, the police officers at the scene responded with the professional use of tear gas. No exchange of gunfire occurred between the two agencies.”
The command’s dedication to cooperate with other security agencies in the state was underlined by the Ondo State police spokesman. He stressed that everyone on staff must act lawfully and follow all procedures.
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