Police Forced Me To Remove Underwear, Trousers, Shoes After Arrest Over Amotekun Escort, Says Osun Commissioner

The Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, has alleged that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force forced him to remove his underwear, singlet, trousers, shoes, socks and belt after he was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with an Amotekun operative attached to his convoy.

Adejoorin made the known on Sunday shortly after he was released from the Osun State CID, where he said he had been detained alongside an operative of the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.

The commissioner was accompanied by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign spokesperson for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, after his release.

Adejoorin said he was travelling to Ilesa on Saturday with his driver and an Amotekun operative when they were intercepted by a team of police officers.

He said the incident began after his driver missed a turn, prompting him to ask him to turn back. Shortly afterwards, he noticed an SUV approaching with a police team, including an officer he identified as Wemimo, also known as Solo.

Adejoorin said the officers blocked their vehicle and made several phone calls before questioning why an Amotekun operative was accompanying him.

He explained that the operative was officially attached to his office and had been assigned to provide security for him because of the deteriorating security situation in the state.

According to the commissioner, the police had previously provided security personnel to his office, but those officers had been withdrawn, prompting the deployment of Amotekun operatives for his protection.

He said the police searched his vehicle, including the boot, but found nothing incriminating. The officers nevertheless ordered him and the Amotekun operative into a Land Cruiser, while his driver was instructed to follow them.

Adejoorin said the police drove them around Ilesa for about 40 minutes before taking them to a house, where he encountered a man identified as Femi Oloka. He was subsequently taken to the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The commissioner said that upon arrival at the CID, he was made to sit on a counter and ordered to strip.

He said police officers ordered him to remove his underwear, singlet, trousers, shoes, socks and belt and hand over his phone.

“They took me there. By the time we got there, they had already gone upstairs to lodge complaints to the police. I don't know what they said,” he said.

“The next thing I saw was that we were asked to sit on a counter. They said I should remove my underwear. Yes, underwear.

“Singlet, eh, that I was wearing, or pants, I should remove. That I should take off my shoes and socks. That I should remove my belt. That I should take out my phone.

“I said, ‘Why?’ But I was helpless at that moment. I complied.”

Adejoorin said someone later intervened and questioned the manner in which he was being treated, pointing out that he was a serving commissioner.

“So at that point, something happened. Someone came and said, ‘This is not right. This is an honourable commissioner. It's not right. It's not right. It's not right.’”

The commissioner said that following the intervention, they were allowed to put their underwear and other clothes back on.

According to him, the police arrested him, the Amotekun operative and his driver and ordered them to make statements.

“We made a statement that didn't show that we knew anything about what they were saying. But they were not satisfied with it,” he said.

“They said they would detain us.”

Adejoorin said the police later released his driver during the night, so that he could inform his associates that the commissioner and the Amotekun operative were still in custody.

He said the Amotekun operative remained detained despite presenting documents authorising him to carry the rifle he was carrying.

He said he was initially placed in a room, where he spent the night praying because he was uncertain about what would happen to him.

“They gave us our underwear back and they left. And we were detained immediately, different places,” he said.

“Yesterday (Saturday), they released the driver. I was put in a room. They opened the window. I didn't sleep. I was praying to God because I didn't know what would happen next. I didn't know what would come next.

“I was put in cell before. I think something happened. They changed their mind that they put me in a room. So, God, thank you.

“They released me this (Sunday) morning. The Amotekun operative is still in custody.”

The commissioner further stated that police officers told him the Amotekun operative could only be released if his superior came to the station to bail him.

When asked what offence the police said he had committed, Adejoorin said there was no specific offence communicated to him beyond the allegation that he had taken an Amotekun operative along with him.

He said the police claimed the presence of the Amotekun operative had a political undertone because of his position as a commissioner serving under Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Police Version

Adejoorin was arrested after a shooting at an All Progressives Congress (APC) political procession in the Isokun area of Ilesa on Saturday left three people injured, including 14-year-old Tobi Ilesanmi.

The Osun State Police Command had said an official vehicle bearing government registration number OSHAO4 was seen near the rally before individuals identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged and fired shots.

Police spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said some people at the rally pursued the alleged Amotekun operatives, one of whom reportedly escaped after allegedly pulling out a knife.

He said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) responding to a distress call subsequently intercepted a white Lexus 350 and found an Amotekun operative inside.

According to Ojelabi, the occupants of the vehicle, including Adejoorin, were taken to the command headquarters in Osogbo for questioning.

Police said four expended cartridges were recovered from the scene, while a pump-action firearm was recovered from the Amotekun operative.

Confirming Adejoorin's release on Sunday, Ojelabi said the commissioner was granted bail while the Amotekun operative and firearm remained in police custody.

“The commissioner has been released. He was released around 1.00 p.m. on bail. The Amotekun operative arrested alongside the commissioner and the gun found with him are still with us. However, investigation is still ongoing on the matter,” Ojelabi said.

The police have not accused Adejoorin of personally firing the shots but said his detention was necessary to establish his level of involvement in the incident.

The investigation into the shooting and the role, if any, of the Amotekun operative and other individuals involved remains ongoing.