The Ondo State Police Command has denied that its officers stole mobile phones from a shop in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area.

Last week, CCTV footage showed the officers from the Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) unit allegedly stealing mobile phones from a barbershop in the town.

The police officers were seen entering the shop reportedly owned by Seketi Adebowale and picking up the phones believed to have been left by customers to charge.

Addressing journalists on Monday in Akure, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Wilfred Afolabi, explained that the officers were arrested and interrogated.

Mr Afolabi said that during the interrogation, the officers confirmed visiting the shop but were there to charge their mobile phones.

“People who know me very well know that I do not compromise on any act of indiscipline. When I saw the video, I instructed that whosoever (officers) was involved should be arrested.

“The policemen were interrogated, and they said it was the shop they used to charge their phones. They never denied going there. They said they went to collect their phones,” he said.

The police chief said the officers were deployed to maintain law and order in the Idogun community after a riot broke out over the arrest and remand of one Jide Falade in prison.

“So, I have not received any report about people crying about the theft of their phones. There is no element of truth. If there is any report of phone theft, we will investigate.

“The poster might be a sympathiser of Falade. I urged the public to disregard whatever is being circulated. I see an element of somebody who wants to be mischievous.”

Mr Afolabi said the officers acted professionally, adding that the command has no interest in the chieftaincy issue ravaging the community.

He also revealed that the police under his watch had called several “peace meetings” to resolve the rancour and fight over the chieftaincy.

The shop owner posted the viral video on Facebook on Saturday, accusing the armed police officer seen in the video of stealing phones from his shop.

The incident occurred amid the unrest in the Idogun community, which had been linked to the arrest of a retired army captain, Jide Falade, after a dispute with the town’s king.

Mr Falade’s arrest and prosecution led to a protest, with the SWAT officers reportedly dispersing protesters with tear gas and live ammunition.