Police, Amotekun Clash Over Custody Of Suspect In Ondo

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps and those of the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday clashed in Akure following a disagreement over the custody of a suspect linked to a stolen motorcycle.

LEADERSHIP gathered that altercation between operatives of the security agencies threw residents of the Alagbaka area of the state capital into panic as several gunshots were fired into the air by the operatives of both agencies.

LEADERSHIP learnt that a suspect was apprehended by Amotekun operatives following a complaint by Rev Bola Ariyo of Living Word Missionary Baptist Church, who alleged that a suspect, Tosin Adebisi and his gang was terrorising the Powerline Ijoka area.

Acting swiftly, the operatives of Amotekun retrieved a stolen motorcycle and arrested the suspect allegedly involved in the theft.

A personnel of Amotekun said the police officers later arrived at the scene and demanded to take custody of the accused after he was arrested and the stolen motorcycle retrieved by the corps.

According to the injured officer who spoke to our reporter on hospital bed, the Amotekun Corps declined the request, insisting on releasing the suspect at their headquarters.

He said the suspect was subsequently taken to the Amotekun office, where further disagreements ensued.

“They (police) mobilised their men and stormed the Amotekun office, injuring many of our personnel in an attempt to forcibly retrieve the suspect,” the affected Amotekun operative said.

Reacting, Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ayanlade Olushola described the incident as a misunderstanding between both parties concerning the treatment of the suspect, who they claim was beaten to the point of coma by Amotekun personnel.

According to the PPRO, Amotekun operatives beat the suspect to a stupor, prompting police intervention.

“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 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,” he said.

The PPRO explained that following this, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, immediately directed tactical commanders to recover both the suspect and the exhibits.

“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 PPRO added.

The Ondo police spokesman, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the Police Command to collaborate with other security outfits in the state, stressing the need for all personnel to operate within the bounds of the law and established protocols.