Gunshots in Ondo as police, Amotekun operatives clash over custody of suspect

There was tension in Akure, the Ondo state capital, on Sunday as operatives of the state Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, and the police clashed over the custody of a suspect.

The suspect was said to have been involved in the theft of property from a church located around Sunday bus stop, on Ijoka road.

The disagreement led to gunshots, causing panic among residents who scampered for safety.

The confrontation later shifted to ShopRite roundabout, near the Amotekun headquarters, around 2 pm.

Olusola Olayinka, the police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, said operatives were the first to arrive at the scene.

He accused Amotekun operatives of forcefully taking custody of the suspect and the exhibits, 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).”

Following the incident, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, the Ondo commissioner of police, 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,” 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 reaffirmed the commitment of the police to collaborate with other security outfits in the state, but stressed the need for all personnel to operate within the bounds of the law and established protocols.