Officer Injured As Police And Amotekun Clash Over Suspect’s Custody In Ondo

There was serious tension in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Sunday after a disagreement broke out between the police and officers of the state’s security outfit, Amotekun, over who should take custody of a suspect.

It was gathered that the suspect had allegedly stolen items from a church near the Sunday Bus Stop along Ijoka Road.

The situation turned chaotic when both security agencies arrived at the scene and tried to claim control of the case, which led to gunshots being fired and panic among residents who ran for cover.

The clash didn’t end there—it continued around the ShopRite Roundabout, close to the Amotekun office, by around 2 p.m.

Ondo police spokesperson, Olusola Olayinka, said police officers were the first to reach the scene after a report was filed at the Ijoka Police Division early Sunday morning.

He claimed that Amotekun officers arrived later, accompanied by a group of commercial motorcycle riders (okada), and allegedly took the suspect and the stolen items by force, injuring a police officer in the process.

“At about 0800hrs, a report was received at the Ijoka Divisional Police Headquarters regarding the arrest of a suspect alleged to have been involved in the theft of property from a church located around Sunday Bus Stop,” he said.

“Acting promptly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) detailed two police officers along with the incident duty officer to proceed to the scene, recover the suspect, and secure exhibits linked to the crime.

“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 (okada riders).”

In response, the state commissioner of police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, ordered his tactical commanders to recover the suspect and the exhibits.

Olayinka confirmed that after discussions between senior officials from both agencies, the suspect and stolen items were eventually handed back to the police in the interest of cooperation.

“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,” Olayinka said.

“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.”

Olayinka assured the public that the police remain committed to working with other security agencies in the state, but he also stressed that all parties must follow the law and stick to proper procedures.

KanyiDaily had previously reported how Amotekun operative, Job Adewale, was shot by police DPO, Adepoju Ayodeji, for arresting a Fulani herdsman who destroyed farmland in Oyo State.