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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
All hell broke loose on Tuesday when officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Ogun State Security Outfit, codenamed Amotekun corps, threw caution to the wind and engaged in a free-for-all.
Operatives of the two security outfits were participants in the ongoing Ogun State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) football competition at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital, when a disputed officiating decision by the centre referee, Ayo Amos, led to the brawl.
The centre referee, according to reports, issued red cards to players of both teams for misconduct on the pitch, which did not go down well with one of the Amotekun players, who then invaded the pitch and attacked a police player, injuring him in the process.
An eye witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the atmosphere became tense in the 65th minute of the encounter when Amos issued Amotekun defender, Akinloye Babatunde, a red card for violent conduct on a police player, Odukoya Olanrewaju. The referee equally sent off the police defender, Odukoya, for retaliation.
“The red-carded Amotekun defender, Akinloye immediately returned to the pitch and punched one of the police players on the field, Constable Adesina James. The ugly development led to an invasion of the pitch by spectators, who came in to rescue the police officer from the mob attack by the Amotekun.
“Surprisingly, one of the Amotekun defenders, Tejuoso Segun, with force no: AMT/AS/21201 rushed out of the pitch and returned with a charm and broken bottle to attack Inspector Ogunremi Oluwafemi inflicting him with a deep cut injury on his lower jaw,” the eye witness said.
The injured Police Inspector was unconscious for some minutes before he was revived and rushed to hospital for treatment.
Reacting, the Chairman, Ogun SWAN, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, condemned the Amotekun operatives for attacking police officers, stressing that the aim of the competition was to foster cordial relationships among security agencies in the state.
“I condemn the act of Amotekun officers during the Value Jet/SWAN Security Cup quarter-final game. One of the reasons SWAN in Ogun State put up this competition is to promote good conduct and harmonious relationships among security officers and instill discipline among them, both on and off the field and while on duty.
“Trained security personnel should be able to restrain themselves from aggression. The unruly behaviour displayed by the Amotekun officers did not portray them as trained officers saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people. Armed officers should not be easily provoked to the extent of assaulting fellow officers,” he stated.
Ogunsiji noted that the association will act against erring agencies who are in the habit of disrupting the competition.
“This time around, we won’t sweep this under the carpet. As organisers, we will take appropriate steps and report the agency and their officers to the Ogun State Head of Service for punitive action to serve as a deterrent to others,” the SWAN chairman said.
The Public Relations Officer of the Amotekun Corps in the state, Abayomi Osonaike, said that he was not at the venue of the competition and could not speak further on the incident.
Ogun State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident.