A violent clash between the Ondo State Police Command and operatives of the Amotekun Corps has left six people injured in Akure, the state capital.
The confrontation erupted over the custody of a suspect accused of stealing property from a church near the Sunday Bus Stop, Ijoka.
Witnesses reported that both security units engaged in sporadic shooting, causing panic among residents.
The dispute allegedly stemmed from an argument over which outfit would detain the suspect. While Amotekun operatives initially took charge, the police later reinforced and forcibly took possession of both the suspect and the exhibits.
Ondo police spokesman, Alayande Olushola, confirmed that two officers from the command were the first to arrive at the crime scene before tensions escalated.
According to him, “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.
Following this, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo 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.”
Some injured Amotekun officers, who spoke on anonymity, said their walkie-talkies were collected.
They said many deaths would have been recorded if they had retaliated.
