The Police in Ondo State have clarified the events surrounding a confrontation between some policemen and Amotekun Corps operatives in the Ijoka area of Akure on Saturday.
A statement by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, spokesperson for the police command in the state, explained that the incident occurred around 8.00a.m. following a theft report from a church located near Sunday Bus Stop.
The statement read: “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ijoka immediately dispatched officers to apprehend the suspect and recover stolen items.
“The police were the first to arrive at the scene and began executing their duties.
“However, while the police officers were carrying out their assignment, operatives of the Amotekun Corps arrived, accompanied by commercial motorcyclists.
“The Amotekun personnel allegedly took control of the suspect and the recovered exhibits by force, resulting in injuries to one police officer.
“In response, the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, quickly directed tactical units to secure the return of both the suspect and the stolen items.
“Following discussions between the leaders of both security agencies, the materials were returned to the police as part of an inter-agency cooperation.
“Although the situation was peacefully resolved, the police noted that some Amotekun operatives, dissatisfied with the release of the suspect, began firing sporadically into the air.
“To restore order, the police deployed tear gas to disperse the agitated crowd. The police clarified that there was no gunfire exchanged between the two security agencies.”
The statement reiterated the police’s commitment to maintaining collaboration with other security bodies while emphasizing the need for all personnel to operate within the confines of the law and established protocols.
The statement reassured the public of Police ongoing dedication to ensuring peace, safety, and the upholding of the rule of law throughout the state.
Thefrontrank gathered that some Amotekun Corps operatives sustained injuries in the confrontation.
“Yes, some of our officers sustained varying degrees of injuries during the confrontation with the police,” a senior officer of the Amotekun Corps told Thefrontrank.
