OSOGBO INCIDENT: POLICE REFUTE CLAIMS OF SHOOTING FOOTBALLERS DURING ARREST OPERATION
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Osun State Police Command has refuted claims that its operatives shot at innocent residents who were playing football in the Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo during an operation conducted by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on Sunday.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan and signed by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Command said the operation followed a petition submitted to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police on May 2, 2026, over a viral video allegedly showing suspected members of the AYE Confraternity displaying firearms and other dangerous weapons.
According to the statement, “the petition was later forwarded to the Osun State Police Command for investigation and further action.”
The command said, “detectives thereafter launched a thorough investigation aimed at identifying and prosecuting those linked to the incident.”
The police explained that “operatives, acting on intelligence, identified one of the suspects seen in the viral video and moved to apprehend him at his hideout in Osogbo.”
The suspect, identified as Semiu Baruwa, was alleged to have participated in vandalising billboards in parts of the state capital.
The statement noted that “the operation was disrupted when some suspected hoodlums and thugs allegedly attempted to prevent officers from taking the suspect into custody for questioning. The development created tension at the scene and endangered the lives of the operatives.
“The situation became violent and posed serious threats to the safety and lives of the operatives, thereby necessitating the police officers to fire warning shots into the air to disperse the mob and safely extricate themselves from the scene.”
The command maintained that no innocent resident was targeted during the exercise and insisted that the officers acted in line with operational safety procedures.
“The actions of the operatives were in strict compliance with operational safety procedures aimed at protecting lives and ensuring public order,” the police added.
The police disclosed that the suspect is currently in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations, while efforts are continuing to arrest other persons linked to the incident and those accused of obstructing lawful police duties.
The Commissioner of Police also urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information.
The Media gathered from eyewitnesses that armed police operatives on Sunday morning stormed a football field on Baruwa Street, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo and shot sporadically in the air.
This development caused the football players, spectators and residents to scamper for safety.
Also, worshippers at nearby churches in the area abandoned service halfway, with some of them clutching their children, expressing fear that bandits may have raided the community.
A community leader who requested anonymity told DAILY POST that, “We did not obstruct them from carrying out their duty. We only questioned why they would attempt to arrest a football fan who was peacefully watching a game on Sunday morning.
“When they failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, we insisted they would not take him away. It was at that point that shooting began, and everyone had to run for safety.”
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