The Oyo State Police Command has explained the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest of Abdulazeez Adegbola, popularly known as Tani Olohun, by officers from the Kwara State Police Command in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The command said the officers travelled to Ibadan to execute a warrant of arrest issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in Ilorin over allegations of conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the command, the warrant followed Tani Olohun’s alleged failure to comply with conditions attached to a bail earlier granted to him by the court.
The development came after videos circulated on social media showing men believed to be police officers attempting to take away the Isese adherent in Ibadan.
In one of the videos, an officer was seen displaying his identity card to residents who questioned the operation.
The attempted arrest eventually led to a scuffle involving some residents before Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, intervened.
The Oyo police command said its Commissioner of Police subsequently directed the Kwara officers to return to their base.
The command also advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, noting that the alleged offence was committed within the city and should therefore be handled in accordance with due process and the principle of territorial jurisdiction.
The statement said the Kwara officers had been acting on the warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in connection with allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
“The warrant was reportedly issued following the failure of the said Tani Olohun to honour the conditions of bail earlier granted to him, thereby prompting the court to order his arrest,” the command said.
The Oyo police further urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding and avoid actions capable of escalating the situation or disturbing public peace.
The command reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that complaints are handled professionally and in accordance with existing laws.
The incident has drawn public attention amid concerns over the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest and the jurisdiction of a Kwara court in relation to an alleged offence in Ibadan.
