Tension has erupted at Ala-Elefosan community, in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the killing of a farmer, Rasheed Hassan, at General Camp, in the Government Reserve area.
THISDAY gathered on Wednesday that the incident subsequently led angry youths to storm the community police station demanding the release of suspects arrested in connection with the killing for jungle justice.
It was further learnt that the violence, which left two police officers injured, prompted the deployment of tactical teams to the community, with the Ondo State Police Command announcing the arrest of 14 suspects over the attack on its facility and officers.
The incident followed the beheading of a farmer, identified as Rasheed Hassan, whose death was reported to the police on October 24, 2026, at General Camp in the Government Reserve area. Police operatives subsequently visited the scene and recovered his remains.
Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Jimoh Abayomi said preliminary observations revealed deep cuts to the victim’s head and other parts of his body, while his belongings were missing.
“The circumstances surrounding the killing prompted an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The situation escalated on October 26 when the Ala Youth President arrested two suspects allegedly connected with the murder and attempted to convey them to the police station for further investigation.
“However, an angry crowd confronted him, demanding that the suspects be handed over to them for extrajudicial punishment. The youth leader subsequently sought refuge at the Ala Divisional Police Headquarters with the suspects.
“The crowd allegedly pursued them to the police station and launched an attack on the facility, throwing stones and other dangerous objects while resisting efforts by police operatives to rescue the suspects.”
He stressed the confrontation heightened tensions in the community, with residents experiencing restrictions on movement amid fears of further violence.
Meanwhile, there were also reports of security reinforcements arriving from Akure, the state capital, and allegations of indiscriminate arrests of residents.
But the police said tactical and other rescue teams were deployed to restore order and protect lives, culminating in the successful rescue of the two suspects at about 1:45 a.m. on October 27.
The Command disclosed that the patrol team conveying the rescued suspects to Akure subsequently came under attack, during which two police officers sustained gunshot injuries from pellets allegedly fired from a pump-action firearm wielded by one of the youths.
According to the police, the injured officers were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while 14 suspects were arrested in connection with the attack on the police station, the assault on officers and the obstruction of the rescue operation.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of those arrested and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
Condemning the violence, the PPRO, described the attack on police officers and the station as unacceptable, warning that the command would not tolerate attempts to undermine lawful police operations.
He said, “No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the gravity of any alleged crime.”
Abayomi assured residents that the circumstances surrounding Hassan’s death and the violence that followed were being thoroughly investigated, adding that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The command said tactical deployments had been sustained in the area to prevent a further breakdown of law and order, adding that normalcy had returned to the community.
It urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information to assist the investigation, while appealing to community leaders and youth groups to discourage mob action.
Fidelis David
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