… as cops attack Amotekun’ s cell to rescue suspect

• 9 officers seriously injured, hospitalised

By Tola Gbadamosi

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A  bloody clash between some operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, and men of the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday afternoon left nine people seriously injured and hospitalised .

The clash occurred when the policemen attacked the Amotekun cell  in Akure to rescue a suspect linked to an alleged robbery incident.

According to one of the injured  Amotekun operatives, one of their men had laid an ambush for the suspect after receiving a complaint, leading  to his arrest

The suspect had allegedly been reported to have robbed a church along Powerline in Ijoka, Akure, the State capital.

 Shortly after the arrest of the suspect, the source said some policemen numbering over 50 in police vans had stormed  the Amotekun’s headquarters, burst into their cell, released the 18- year old suspect in the  custody.

According to one of the officers who managed to speak with our reporter on his hospital bed, at the initial stage when the policemen arrived, Amotekun Corps declined the police request to release the suspect.

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

But surprisingly, they mobilised their men and stormed the Amotekun office, injuring many of our personnel in an attempt to forcibly release the suspect,” he added.

However, a statement released by the Ondo State police command and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, read: “The Ondo State Police command wishes to address and clarify the incident that occurred earlier today, May 4, 2025, involving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Amotekun Corps at Ijoka area, Akure.

“At about 0800hrs, a report was received at the Ijoka Divisional Police headquarters regarding the arrest of a suspect alleged to have been involved in the theft of property from a church located around Sunday Bus Stop.

“Acting promptly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) detailed two police officers along with the incident duty officer to proceed to the scene, recover the suspect, and secure exhibits linked to the crime.”

It added  that, 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 the 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.

“The Ondo State Police command reaffirms its commitment to collaboration with other security outfits in the state but stresses the need for all personnel to operate within the bounds of the law and established protocols.

“The command assures members of the public that it remains dedicated to the maintenance of peace, public safety, and the rule of law across the state,” the statement added.

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

Our reporter gathered that,  no fewer than nine of the corps officers were wounded and now receiving treatment in an  hospital.

Meanwhile,  Rev Bola Ariyo, of Living Word Missionary Baptist Church, who initially reported to the corps that the suspect and his gang had been terrorising the area along  Powerline in Ijoka said he had on many occasions  reported the incidents to the police with no efforts until the suspect was arrested eventually and detained by Amotekun operatives

Phones and walkie talkies of the men of  Amotekun Corps officers were seized and damaged.

The phones and the walkie talkies were later released on request by the commander of the Amotekun corps.