Osogbo, Osun State, October 25, 2024 — The Osun State Police Command has issued an official response following a viral video depicting a tense altercation between police officers and personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at an estate in Osogbo. The police statement, signed by CSP Yemisi Olawoyin Opalola, Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Command, provides a counter-narrative to claims of police misconduct and sets out the police’s perspective on the incident.
According to the press release, the incident began when police officers from Oyo State, on an investigation mission, arrived at the Osogbo estate to arrest a suspect alleged to be involved in criminal activities. The statement claims that upon arrival, the officers encountered resistance from NSCDC personnel stationed as guards, who allegedly blocked the police from apprehending the suspect.
The confrontation escalated when, according to the police report, NSCDC officers physically assaulted two police officers and punctured the tires of the police vehicle. Faced with hostility, the officers reportedly requested reinforcements from the nearest police division.
Upon the arrival of additional police personnel, the reinforcement team reportedly succeeded in “rescuing” the officers, and, in the process, arrested one NSCDC officer. This NSCDC personnel, who the police claim was involved in the initial altercation and allegedly interfered with the police’s efforts, was detained and transported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.
The Osun State Police Command asserts that the NSCDC officer’s detention is part of an ongoing investigation into the matter. In the press release, CSP Opalola emphasized that the police were within their rights to perform an arrest as part of lawful duties, while condemning any actions that obstructed law enforcement efforts.
The statement concludes by affirming that the investigation is continuing and that further details will be provided as they emerge.
This response by the police follows allegations and public outcry over the treatment of the NSCDC personnel, as the viral video showed scenes of physical altercations, which critics argue were excessive. The Osun State Police Command’s release attempts to clarify the sequence of events and rationalize the police’s actions as a lawful response to an obstructive NSCDC team.
Both agencies’ contrasting versions of events have raised questions among the public, with calls for a thorough, impartial investigation into the incident. Many are demanding a transparent inquiry to determine the actual sequence of events and to hold any wrongdoers accountable, underscoring the need for greater professionalism and collaboration between Nigeria’s security agencies.