The Oyo State Police Command has explained the circumstances surrounding an attempt by officers from the Kwara State Police Command to arrest Abdulazeez Adegbola, popularly known as Tani Olohun, in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The command said the officers were acting on a warrant of arrest issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in Ilorin over allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
According to the Oyo Police Command, the warrant was issued after Tani Olohun allegedly failed to comply with conditions attached to an earlier bail granted to him by the court.
The development caused tension in Ibadan after residents reportedly confronted the officers who attempted to take Tani Olohun away.
The situation was later brought under control following the intervention of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the position of the command in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The police spokesperson said the Kwara officers had travelled to Ibadan to execute the arrest warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court.
“The Command wishes to clarify that the officers were acting pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, Ilorin, in connection with allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace,” the statement said.
The command added that the warrant was reportedly issued following Tani Olohun’s failure to honour the conditions of bail earlier granted to him.
The alleged breach of the bail conditions, according to the police, prompted the court to order his arrest.
However, the operation became controversial after the officers attempted to arrest him in Ibadan, where the alleged offence was said to have occurred.
Videos shared on social media showed a group of men, who appeared to be police officers, attempting to take the Isese adherent away.
In one of the videos, an officer was seen showing his identity card to residents who questioned the operation.
The confrontation reportedly led to a scuffle between the officers and some residents in the area.
The situation could have escalated further but for the intervention of Sunday Igboho, who was said to have stepped in and helped to stop the arrest.
The intervention brought attention to the operation and raised questions among residents over why police officers from Kwara State were attempting to arrest a person in Ibadan.
The Oyo Police Command subsequently intervened.
The Commissioner of Police in the state directed the Kwara officers to return to their base and advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan.
The police said the advice was based on the principle of territorial jurisdiction, under which matters concerning an alleged offence are generally expected to be handled by the appropriate court and authorities within the relevant jurisdiction.
The command said the alleged offence occurred in Ibadan and that the complainant should therefore approach the appropriate court in the city.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, directed the officers to return back to their base and advise the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, being the alleged place where the offence was committed, in accordance with due process and the principles of territorial jurisdiction,” the statement said.
The police clarification is expected to ease concerns over the incident, which attracted public attention after videos of the attempted arrest circulated widely online.
The command urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions that could lead to violence or a breakdown of law and order.
“The Oyo State Police Command therefore urges members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding and to refrain from actions capable of disturbing the peace or escalating the situation,” it said.
The command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that complaints are handled according to the law.
“The Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that all complaints are handled professionally and in accordance with extant laws,” the statement added.
Tani Olohun is known for his advocacy of traditional Yoruba religious practices, particularly the Isese tradition. His activities have previously generated controversy and public debate, especially around religious expression and traditional beliefs.
The Isese movement has attracted renewed attention in South-West Nigeria in recent years, with supporters calling for greater recognition and protection of traditional religious practices.
At the same time, debates involving traditional religion have occasionally led to disputes between adherents, religious groups and community authorities.
The police allegation against Tani Olohun, however, is not simply about his religious beliefs. The command said the arrest warrant was connected to allegations of conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace and to an alleged failure to comply with bail conditions.
The police did not provide further details in the statement on the specific conduct that allegedly led to the original case or the exact bail conditions he was accused of breaching.
The incident also highlights the importance of cooperation between police commands when officers need to carry out arrests outside their normal areas of operation.
Police officers can operate across state boundaries under certain circumstances, particularly when executing lawful warrants or investigating crimes. However, such operations can raise jurisdictional and procedural questions, especially where the alleged offence occurred in another state.
In this case, the Oyo Command said the appropriate step was for the complainant to approach a court in Ibadan.
The decision by the Oyo Commissioner of Police to stop the operation also helped prevent the confrontation from developing into a larger security problem.
The incident is another reminder of the delicate balance between enforcing court orders and maintaining public peace.
While a valid warrant of arrest remains a legal instrument available to law enforcement authorities, police operations must also be carried out in line with due process and other legal requirements.
For residents who witnessed the incident, the presence of officers attempting to remove Tani Olohun reportedly created confusion before the intervention stopped the operation.
The circulation of videos on social media further increased public interest in the matter, with many people seeking an explanation for the presence of the Kwara officers in Ibadan.
The Oyo Police Command has now provided that explanation, saying the officers were acting on a court-issued warrant.
However, the command also made it clear that the matter should be pursued through the appropriate legal channels in Ibadan.
For now, the attempted arrest has been halted, while the police have urged all parties to remain calm and law-abiding.
The development is likely to keep attention focused on the legal dispute involving Tani Olohun and the next steps to be taken by the complainant and the relevant authorities.
The Oyo Command maintained that its priority was to uphold the rule of law while preventing actions that could threaten peace in the state.
It also reiterated that all complaints must be handled professionally and in accordance with existing laws, stressing that neither the police nor members of the public should take actions capable of escalating the situation.