NSCDC, Police Clash in Osun Over Alleged Assault of Officer

T The Osun State Commands of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force are embroiled in a public dispute following an alleged assault on an NSCDC officer, identified as Owoeye, by police personnel during an incident on Wednesday at Elizabeth Estate, Osogbo.

A viral video, widely circulated on Friday, captured the moment when a man wearing an Ankara outfit under a jacket with "POLICE" boldly inscribed was seen allegedly striking the NSCDC officer. In the footage, the NSCDC officer was slapped but managed to disarm the attacker, who was reportedly part of a team conducting an investigation in the area.

Osun Command Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, stated that police operatives from Oyo State were on investigative duties to apprehend a suspect at the estate when NSCDC personnel obstructed the arrest. She claimed that the NSCDC officers injured two police officers, prompting the police to call for reinforcements. One NSCDC officer was subsequently detained at the State CID.

In contrast, Kehinde Adeleke, spokesperson for the Osun NSCDC Command, reported that on Tuesday evening, plainclothes individuals identifying as police officers arrived in an unmarked Sienna vehicle, creating suspicion among the NSCDC guards who requested identification. This request reportedly angered the police personnel, who left the premises but returned the next day with additional officers, escalating the altercation.

The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Michael Adaralewa, called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, asserting that the officer in question endured excessive force and unlawful detention. Despite assurances from police officials, the detained NSCDC officer was only released on Friday afternoon.