The Oyo State Police Command has explained why officers from the Kwara State Police Command attempted to arrest Abdulazeez Adegbola, popularly known as Tani Olohun, in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The command said the officers were in Ibadan on official duty to arrest Tani Olohun based on a warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, Ilorin, over allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the warrant was issued after Tani Olohun allegedly failed to honour the conditions of bail earlier granted to him, prompting the court to order his arrest.
Recall that officers attempting to arrest Tani Olohun were stopped following a scuffle involving residents and the intervention of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Videos circulating on social media showed some men, who appeared to be police officers, attempting to take the Isese adherent away.
One of the officers was seen showing his identity card to residents who questioned the operation.
Following the incident, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police directed the officers to return to their base and advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, being the alleged location of the offence, in line with due process and the principle of territorial jurisdiction.
The command explained that the officers were acting on an arrest warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in connection with allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
It said the warrant followed Tani Olohun’s alleged failure to comply with the conditions of his earlier bail, leading the court to order his arrest.
The command said that after receiving the report, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police directed the officers to return to their base and advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, where the alleged offence was committed.
The command urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding and avoid actions capable of disturbing the peace or escalating the situation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting lives and property, and handling complaints professionally and in accordance with existing laws.
