Police in Osun State have rejected claims that officers opened fire on football players during an operation in Osogbo on Sunday. Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan issued a statement through spokesman DSP Abiodun Ojelabi denying the accusations.
The operation stemmed from a petition filed to the Inspector-General of Police on May 2, 2026. A viral video had allegedly shown suspected AYE Confraternity members brandishing guns and weapons.
Investigators forwarded the petition to Osun police for probe and prosecution. Detectives launched a thorough investigation to identify those involved in the incident.
Officers acting on intelligence identified one suspect from the video. They moved to apprehend him at his hideout in the city.
Semiu Baruwa, the suspect, allegedly participated in billboard vandalism across Osogbo. Police said they were taking him in for questioning when trouble started.
According to the police account, suspected hoodlums tried blocking the arrest. The crowd's actions created dangerous tension at the scene.
Officers discharged warning shots into the air to disperse the mob. In their words, this allowed them to safely exit with their suspect.
Police maintained no innocent resident was targeted during the operation. They insisted operatives followed strict safety procedures throughout.
"Our officers acted in compliance with operational safety protocols," the command added. They said their actions protected lives and maintained public order.
Baruwa remains in custody assisting investigators. Police continue searching for other suspects and those who obstructed the operation.
Gotan urged residents to stay calm and share reliable information with authorities. Community cooperation would help security efforts, he noted.
Eyewitnesses painted a different picture of Sunday's events. Armed officers stormed a football field on Baruwa Street in Ogo-Oluwa early morning.
Gunshots rang out across the pitch without warning. Footballers, spectators, and residents bolted for safety.
Worshippers at nearby churches fled services midway. Many clutched their children, fearing bandits had invaded the community.
A community leader who requested anonymity spoke with reporters. He denied that residents stopped police from doing their job.
"We simply asked why they'd arrest a football fan on Sunday morning," he explained. The officers gave no satisfactory answer to the question.
When residents insisted the suspect wouldn't leave, shooting began. "Everyone scattered to find cover," the leader told DAILY POST.
His account contradicts the police narrative significantly. Residents claimed they were only seeking clarification, not obstructing police work.
