Two police officers sustained gunshot injuries after an angry mob attacked a tactical team that rescued two suspects accused of killing a farmer in Ala, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 27, followed a violent attempt by youths to seize the suspects from the police and subject them to extrajudicial punishment.
The crisis began after the killing of a farmer, identified as Rasheed Hassan, whose death was reported to the police on October 24.
His body was discovered at General Camp in the Government Reserve area, with police operatives observing deep cuts on his head and other parts of his body.
Hassan’s belongings were also reportedly missing.
Police investigations were subsequently launched to identify those responsible for the killing.
According to the Ondo State Police Command, two suspects were arrested on October 26 by the Ala Youth President in connection with Hassan’s death.
While the youth leader was taking them to the police station, an angry crowd reportedly intercepted him and demanded that the suspects be handed over for jungle justice.
The youth leader eventually sought refuge at the Ala Divisional Police Headquarters with the suspects, but the mob followed them to the facility and allegedly attacked the station.
The police said the attackers threw stones and other dangerous objects at the facility while also preventing rescue teams from gaining access to the area.
As the situation escalated, tactical and other rescue teams were deployed to restore order.
The two suspects were eventually rescued at about 1:45 a.m. on October 27 and placed in police custody.
However, the patrol team conveying them to Akure reportedly came under attack.
During the attack, two police officers sustained gunshot injuries from pellets allegedly fired from a pump-action firearm wielded by one of the youths.
The injured officers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Following the violence, the police arrested 14 suspects over their alleged involvement in the attacks on the police facility, officers and rescue team.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of those arrested and establish their culpability.
Tactical personnel have also been deployed to the community to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
The Command said normalcy had returned to Ala, although security monitoring remained in place.
Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, condemned the attack and warned against attempts to take the law into private hands.
Ohagwu said the seriousness of the alleged farmer’s murder did not justify mob action or obstruction of lawful police operations.
He also warned that the Command would not tolerate attacks on police facilities, assaults on officers or any attempt to undermine the criminal justice process.
The commissioner assured residents that investigations into Hassan’s death and the subsequent violence would continue, adding that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist the investigation, while community leaders and youth groups were advised to discourage further mob action.
