The Ondo State Police Command has described as misleading the viral video which alleged police operatives from the command stole mobile phones from a shop.
While clarifying the circumstances surrounding the viral video that allegedly discredited police officers deployed to Idogun in the Ose Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Wilfred Afolabi, stressed that the video was doctored.
Addressing newsmen at the police headquarters, Afolabi revealed that the supposed phone shop was actually a barbershop where officers typically charged their phones.
He said: “As of the time of this briefing, no one has come forward to report that their phone shop was burgled.”
Giving a background on the unrest in Idogun, Afolabi disclosed that the police had received reports concerning one Jide Falade, who claims to be a retired Navy captain who served in the American military.
“When I received information that Falade and his men had allegedly kidnapped individuals and seized their property, I dispatched the SWAT team to apprehend him. He was arrested and brought to Akure for investigation,” the CP explained.
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Following the investigation, Falade was arraigned on a 10-count charge and remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre.
However, his detention reportedly sparked violent protests, with his supporters blocking roads and setting up bonfires.
He said, “In the course of restoring order, one of our officers was attacked with a machete. Despite this provocation, I gave strict orders that my men must not use live ammunition. We applied minimal force, and no one was killed or injured.”
The CP also distanced the police from the ongoing chieftaincy crisis in Idogun, accusing Falade of using thuggery instead of following due process to challenge the community’s leadership.
He added, “I advised him that if he had issues with the community ruler, he should approach the governor, the judiciary, or the House of Assembly rather than mobilising youths to take the law into their own hands.”
