Wilfred Afolabi, the Ondo Commissioner of Police, has been redeployed following the recent June 12 protest carried out in the state by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, Peoples Gazette learnt.

A source in the Ondo Police Command told The Gazette that Mr Afolabi, drafted to the state by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in December 2024, was removed last week by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

He explained that the protest, which generated controversies, especially with the attack on Mr Sowore and his supporters, did not go well with Mr Egbetokun, who was allegedly furious that the CP granted audience to the human rights activist and his supporters.

“I can confirm that he (Afolabi) has been transferred out of the state. He was redeployed last week by the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun.

“The offence of the CP was because he refused to tame Yele (Sowore), who had the audacity to storm the police headquarters command to request an investigation into an attack on him and his supporters by some armed thugs believed to have been sponsored by the state government.

“The CP had also begun an investigation into the attack on Sowore after he told some team of investigators in the command to fish out those who attacked the protesters. This and many other complaints were tabled before the IGP, which necessitated the removal of Afolabi from the state,” the source, who preferred anonymity, hinted.

Also confirming the development, a senior police officer and an ally of the CP said Mr Afolabi has been reassigned to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

He said the police chief has been reassigned as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration at the Department of Training and Development (DTD) in the Force Headquarters, where he is expected to oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of training programmes for officers.

“Truly, he has been moved outside the state and is back in Abuja to head the DTD at the Force Headquarters. I was told the IGP was even planning his quick retirement, but I guess it could raise more dust.

“So, he was redeployed, so don’t forget that he is an expert when it comes to training personnel. I guess those who advised the IGP on the action to take suggested his posting over to the DTD,” he said.

Pressed further on what could have led to his redeployment from the state, the senior officer said, “I can’t really say, but I think it is the case of the man called Sowore.”

He added, “The IGP was not happy that the police command, under Afolabi, could not do anything to stop his excesses when he protested here in Akure a few weeks ago.

“Some senior officers even received a query in respect of that protest. That was when we knew that trouble was coming. The protest was held in major cities of the country. But we were surprised why the major focus was on the one in Akure by the IGP and the top officials of the state government.”

On June 12, protesters, under the Take It Back Movement led by Mr Sowore, were violently attacked by armed thugs suspected to have been sponsored by some state actors.

The thugs, numbering about 15, led by a notorious cult leader, Gbenga Aluko, disrupted the peaceful gathering of the protestors who had converged at the popular Cathedral Junction in Akure.

The violent attack on the protesters led by Mr Sowore was jolted with nationwide condemnation and reactions.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that Mr Afolabi might likely be replaced by Lawal Adebowale, who served in the Force Headquarters.

Mr Afolabi did not immediately respond to calls seeking his reaction to his alleged redeployment when contacted on Sunday at noon.

Also, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesman, did not reply to calls and text messages when contacted for comments.

However, the spokesman for the Ondo police, Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed Mr Afolabi’s redeployment in a chat with The Gazette.

“Yes, the CP, Wilfred Afolabi, has been redeployed, and a new man is now at the helm of affairs. We shall get back with official details later,” Mr Olayinka said.