The barbershop owned by Seketi Adebowale is said to be equipped with solar energy worth N6 million and also serves as a power bank and mobile phone charging station. According to Adebowale, the officers broke into the shop and stole several phones belonging to customers who had left them to charge. 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.
On March 22, 2025, the incident took place during a time of increased community tension. 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. Adebowale claims that the officers entered the shop and took a number of phones from 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.
“After reviewing the footage and receiving a mobile alert about intruders, I discovered 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.
Adebowale stated,
"The protesters retaliated by throwing stones, forcing the police to retreat and abandon a gun, which the protesters later returned." 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.”
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In another video obtained by GLOBALGISTZNG, 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 in the door and entered. 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. The woman stated, "He said he would kill me, but one of them stopped him." A man with a deep cut to the head and another victim with a bleeding leg are depicted in community photos.
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.