The Osun State Government has raised alarm over what it described as an attack on personnel of the Nigerian Navy by officers of the Osun State Police Command in Ile-Ife.
In a statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government said the incident occurred today when police operatives allegedly stormed the naval detachment in the ancient town to free five suspected hoodlums arrested by the Navy.
According to the government, the five individuals, said to be loyalists of Asiri Eniba, were arrested after they reportedly stormed Ile-Ife shooting sporadically. The statement claimed the group was accompanied by a police team in an attempt to take over motor parks across the state.
The government explained that residents of the Mayfair area raised a distress call which prompted Navy personnel stationed in Ile-Ife to intervene and arrest the hoodlums.
“Immediately, the Commissioner of Police heard about the arrest, he called the Commandant of the Navy to release them to him but the Commandant told the Osun state Commissioner of Police to allow him seek approval from the higher authority before handing them to the police,” the statement said.
The government further alleged that the Osun CP was enraged by the Navy Commandant’s response and subsequently deployed four lorries of mobile policemen to the naval facility.
“The Osun CP was reportedly enraged with the Navy Commandant’s reply, he then sent four lorries of mobile police men to attack the Nigerian Navy, with a view to rescue the hoodlums. Reports indicated that the mobile policemen swiftly moved in and teargassed the Naval men before rescuing the hooligans,” the statement added.
The government however said the police did not succeed in retrieving five pump action rifles that were also seized by the Navy during the arrest.
Describing the development as “a bizarre situation and impunity carried too far,” Osun State Government called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.
“Osun state Government is therefore calling on Mr President, who is the father of the Nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wade in to Osun matters before it degenerates further,” it said.
The government also called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to act promptly to prevent further escalation.
“As we have been crying loud to the whole world especially, the diplomatic Communities, we are also calling on the diplomatic community to impose visa ban on any police official who is aiding and abetting political violence in Osun state,” the statement said.
The government said it was concerned that the police could launch an attack on military personnel and urged relevant authorities to take immediate steps to address the situation and ensure accountability.
