Osun police assault sees 19 suspects arrested after officers were attacked amid Ilobu-Erin-Osun boundary dispute. Justice pursued for all perpetrators

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has vowed that all individuals involved in the assault of three police operatives during a renewed boundary dispute between Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities will face the full weight of the law.

Also read: Osun Police Arrest 18 Suspects over Attack on Officers

Earlier arrests included two community chiefs, a head of a hunters’ association, and 15 residents of Ilobu, who allegedly attacked officers intervening in violence linked to a longstanding land dispute.

A video circulated on social media on Saturday showed a police constable being assaulted and forced to kneel during the incident.

Addressing journalists after parading the suspects at the police command headquarters on Monday, Gotan said a further individual had been apprehended, bringing the total number of arrests to 19.

He warned that those yet to be caught would be tracked down.

“Let it be unequivocally clear that any person or group involved in the attack, no matter their status, will face the full weight of the law,” the commissioner said.

“The command will not tolerate any form of lawlessness or coordinated attack against its personnel.”

Gotan further cautioned that harbouring or shielding suspects would attract severe legal consequences and reassured residents that justice would serve as a deterrent.

One of the suspects, Hazmat Ridwan, told journalists that he had shared a video originally posted by another Facebook user showing the assault on a police operative.

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The Osun police have launched sustained intelligence-driven operations to apprehend all participants, signalling a firm stance against attacks on law enforcement officers amid community disputes.