The Osun State Police Command announced on Friday that an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) involved in a recent clash with police officers has been arrested. The altercation, captured in a video, took place at Elizabeth Estate, Abere, in Osogbo.
According to Drivetvnews reports, the incident began earlier in the week when police officers attempted to arrest a resident in the estate but were allegedly blocked by NSCDC personnel. The situation escalated when the police returned on Thursday with additional officers, leading to a physical confrontation with NSCDC operatives.
Witnesses described the altercation as intense, with both groups seen in the video throwing punches and slapping each other. One resident explained, “On Tuesday, some policemen tried to arrest someone without a warrant, but the NSCDC officers intervened. On Thursday, the police came back with reinforcements to overpower the civil defence personnel. One of the NSCDC operatives was seriously injured and later taken to the police CID in Osogbo, but their commandant has not addressed the issue.”
Osun State Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, issued a statement explaining that the officers were from Oyo State and had come to Osogbo to conduct an investigation and arrest a suspect. She stated that the NSCDC officers on-site obstructed the arrest, assaulted two police officers, and deflated the tires of the police vehicle.
She further explained, “Police officers from Oyo State were conducting an investigation and tried to arrest a suspect in Osogbo, but NSCDC personnel at the scene blocked them, injuring two officers and deflating their vehicle’s tires. Reinforcements were called in, and the situation was brought under control. One of the NSCDC operatives involved in obstructing the police was arrested and taken to the State CID for further investigation.”
She concluded by noting that the investigation is still ongoing.