A violent confrontation between the Ondo State Police Command and the Amotekun Corps has left six people injured in Akure, the state capital. The clash erupted over the custody of a suspect accused of stealing property from a church near the Sunday Bus Stop in Ijoka.
Witnesses say that both security units exchanged gunfire during the altercation, which created panic among residents of the area. The disagreement reportedly began when Amotekun operatives initially took custody of the suspect, but the police later intervened, forcibly taking both the suspect and the stolen items into their possession.
Ondo State Police spokesman, Alayande Olushola, confirmed that two police officers were the first to respond to the scene of the crime. He stated that Amotekun operatives arrived shortly afterward, accompanied by a large group of commercial motorcyclists (okada riders). According to Olushola, Amotekun personnel “forcefully took custody of the suspect and the exhibits,” leading to the injury of a police officer.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, ordered an immediate recovery operation to retrieve the suspect and stolen items. The two agencies eventually reached an agreement after a dialogue led by senior officers from both sides, resulting in the suspect and items being returned to the police.
However, tensions remained high as some members of the Amotekun Corps, unhappy with the outcome, began firing shots into the air. In response, the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order. No direct gunfire was exchanged between the two agencies.
An anonymous Amotekun officer who was injured in the clash claimed that their walkie-talkies were seized during the altercation. They also stated that the situation could have turned much worse if they had retaliated, potentially leading to more casualties.
The clash highlights ongoing tensions between the two security agencies in Ondo State, raising concerns about coordination and the handling of law enforcement duties.
