SWAT police officers were allegedly caught on CCTV taking mobile phones from a shop in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. This happened on March 22, 2025, during a period of tension in the area.
The shop, run by Seketi Adebowale, is both a barbershop and a solar-powered charging station for phones and power banks. Adebowale claimed that the officers entered the shop without permission and took several customers’ phones that were left there for charging.
“In each video, a policeman enters and takes phones from the charging area,” Adebowale said. “I was alerted to intruders and checked the footage, which showed they were from SWAT Akure. Fearing they would tamper with the camera, I quickly removed it for safekeeping.”
The police were in the area because of a conflict between a Navy captain, Jide Falade, and the local king. The situation got worse when the king accused Falade of robbery and kidnapping, which led to his arrest. He was taken to court on March 21, but the case was postponed to March 22.
Falade’s supporters protested against his arrest, which made things more tense. Following the king’s orders, SWAT officers reportedly arrested some of the protesters and sent Falade to Olokuta Prison.