Ondo Police, Amotekun clash over custody of suspect, nine injured

DAMISI OJO, Akure

 

Tension rose in Akure, Ondo state, on Sunday afternoon as operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, and men of the Nigeria Police Force clashed over a disagreement on the custody of a suspect linked to a stolen motorcycle

 

One of the injured officers of the Corps said a complainant had earlier visited their office to report a missing motorcycle.

 

The operatives swiftly retrieved both the stolen motorcycle and the suspect allegedly involved in the theft.

 

However, shortly after the arrest, police officers arrived and reportedly demanded that the suspect be released into their custody.

 

According to an injured police officer, Amotekun Corps declined the request, stressing that they could only release the suspect at their headquarters.

 

The suspect was subsequently taken to the Amotekun office, where further disagreements ensued.

 

It was learnt that they mobilised their men and stormed the Amotekun office, injuring many of the personnel in an attempt to forcibly retrieve the suspect.

 

Meanwhile,the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ayanlade Olushola alleged that Amotekun operatives beat the suspect into a coma, which prompted police intervention.

 

The police PRO said the incident was a misunderstanding between both parties concerning the treatment of the suspect, who they claim was beaten to the point of coma by Amotekun personnel.

 

He added, that the incident occurred at the Amotekun Corps headquarters in Akure.

 

He said”We stepped in to ensure justice is served, upon getting there, they refused to release the suspect, which eventually led to the altercation.

 

“I can assure you that the issue has now been resolved amicably.”

 

It was gathered that the arrest of one Tosin Adebisi, an 18-year-old suspect, triggered the action of the men of the Nigerian police.

 

However, over 50 tear gas and empty AK 47 shells, and G 3 guns were used on Amotekun officers, where a lady, head of the operation officer, was brutally injured on her head.

 

It was learnt that, no fewer than nine of the Amotekun officers were wounded and hospitalized.

 

Phones and walkie talkies of the men of the Amotekun corps officers were said to have been seized and damaged by the police

 

Amotekun Corps Officers said, they only obeyed the order that they should not take revenge_ if not many casualties would have been recorded, because it was said that the police shot the officers but the bullets could not penetrate.