The Osun State Police Command on Thursday said it has arrested four suspects following renewed hostilities between residents of Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities over boundary demarcation.
A statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said operatives had successfully quelled tensions between the communities.
The police spokesperson, however, condemned the alleged attack on operatives who responded to a distress call as residents were about to clash.
Ojelabi explained that the security operatives were performing legitimate duties when they were attacked in Ilobu.
The Command expressed serious concern over a viral video circulating on social media showing police officers being attacked by hoodlums from Ilobu community.
It condemned the act as unlawful and described it as a direct attack on constituted authority, noting that the incident occurred when police officers were deployed following intelligence that peace in the Erin-Osun/Ilobu communities was about to be disrupted by some elements over a disputed boundary.
The police said the officers arrived at the scene and dispersed the hoodlums, but some youths from Ilobu community later turned against the operatives and assaulted them.
It added that one of the officers was dragged to the Olobu Palace, where he was further subjected to inhumane treatment.
To prevent a further breakdown of law and order, Ojelabi said the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has deployed an intervention team to the affected communities.
He added that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, while more suspects had been identified and would soon be apprehended to face the full weight of the law.
The Command also issued a warning to residents of both communities to desist from any form of violence, hostilities, or attacks on security agents.
(Punch)
