Police officers from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Nigeria Police Force have been caught on CCTV stealing mobile phones from a shop in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident occurred on March 22, 2025, during a period of heightened tension in the community.
The shop, owned by Seketi Adebowale, is a barbershop reportedly equipped with solar energy valued at N6 million, which also serves as a charging station for mobile phones and power banks. According to Adebowale, the officers broke into the shop and stole several phones belonging to customers who had left them to charge.
“In each of the videos, a policeman walks in and takes phones from where they were being charged,” Adebowale said. “I received a mobile alert about intruders and checked the footage, which revealed that the individuals were from SWAT Akure. Expecting them to tamper with the camera, I quickly removed it for safekeeping.”
Adebowale said the police were in the area in connection with a larger conflict involving a Navy captain, Jide Falade, and the local king. The dispute began after the king allegedly accused Falade of armed robbery and kidnapping, leading to his arrest and court appearance on March 21. The hearing was adjourned to March 22.
Tensions escalated when supporters of Falade gathered to protest his detention. SWAT officers, reportedly acting on the king’s instructions, arrested several protesters and placed Falade in remand at Olokuta Prison.
The protests reportedly turned violent after police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
“The protesters retaliated by throwing stones, forcing the police to retreat and abandon a gun, which was later returned by the protesters,” Adebowale said.
Following the unrest, the king allegedly led SWAT officers to specific homes and shops in the community, which were subsequently destroyed.
Adebowale’s shop was among those targeted.
“Early Saturday morning, my shop was targeted despite the presence of CCTV footage that captured the culprits,” he said. “The police further assaulted residents, including men, women, and children, and even killed animals.”
In another video obtained by newsmen, a woman and a boy were seen showing injuries allegedly inflicted by the police. The boy said he was beaten with sticks. The woman claimed that the officers threatened to kill her.
“They kicked the door open and came in. They cut my son with a cutlass and used the blunt part to beat me. One of them threatened to slash my head. I told him to go ahead and kill me. He said he would kill me, but one of them stopped him,” the woman said.
Photos obtained from the community show a man with a deep cut on his head and another victim with a bleeding leg.
Adebowale called for an investigation into the actions of the SWAT officers and justice for the victims.
The next court hearing for Captain Falade is scheduled for March 28.
SWAT was established in October 2020 as a replacement for the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), following widespread protests against SARS over allegations of human rights abuses and misconduct.
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