Ondo State, Nigeria – Police officers from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit have been caught on camera stealing mobile phones from a shop in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area.
What Happened?
On March 22, 2025, a group of SWAT officers broke into a barbershop owned by Seketi Adebowale. The shop, which also serves as a charging station, has a solar energy system worth ₦6 million. The officers stole several phones belonging to customers who had left them to charge.
“I got an alert about intruders and checked my CCTV footage,” Adebowale said. “I saw that the people were SWAT officers from Akure. I quickly removed the camera so they wouldn’t destroy it.”
Why Were the Police in Idogun?
There was already tension in the town because of a dispute between a Navy captain, Jide Falade, and the local king. The king had accused Falade of armed robbery and kidnapping, which led to his arrest. His court hearing was on March 21, but it was postponed to March 22.
Supporters of Falade protested his detention, but SWAT officers, allegedly following the king’s orders, arrested many of them and sent Falade to Olokuta Prison. The protest turned violent when police fired tear gas and live bullets to scare the crowd. Protesters fought back by throwing stones, and the police were forced to retreat. In the chaos, they even dropped a gun, which was later returned by the protesters.
Shops and Homes Attacked
After the protest, SWAT officers, reportedly led by the king, raided several homes and shops. Adebowale’s barbershop was among those attacked.
“Even though my CCTV camera recorded everything, they still targeted my shop,” Adebowale said. “They also beat up men, women, and children, and even killed animals.”
In another video, a woman and a young boy showed injuries from the police attack. The boy said he was beaten with sticks, while the woman claimed officers used a cutlass to injure her son and beat her with the blunt side.
“They kicked my door open,” the woman said. “One of them wanted to kill me, but another officer stopped him.”
What’s Next?
Adebowale is calling for an investigation into the SWAT officers’ actions and justice for the victims. Meanwhile, Captain Falade’s next court hearing is on March 28.
SWAT was created in October 2020 to replace the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which was disbanded after protests over human rights abuses. However, this incident raises new concerns about police misconduct.
Why This Matters
Stealing from a shop, attacking people, and damaging property are not things police officers should do. The people of Idogun want answers, and many are asking whether SWAT is truly different from SARS.
