OPERATIVES of Ekiti State Police Command have arrested masterminds of a recent spate of killings involving a Point of Sales (PoS) operator and a rice hawker in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Disclosing this was the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeniran Akinwale, during a press briefing on Wednesday even as 21 suspects involved in various crimes were paraded.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, who represented the CP, confirmed that the suspects were behind not only the aforementioned murders but also other recent killings in the state.
It will be recalled that a series of violent incidents occurred last week, including the murder of a ticket officer with the Commercial Motorcycles Riders Association and the fatal shootings of the PoS operator in the EKSUTH area and a rice hawker in the Oja Bisi area.
Abutu revealed that the killers, identified as members of the Eiye Confraternity, were apprehended while others remain at large. He emphasized the importance of community vigilance and encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
Following a violent clash between the Supreme Eiye Confraternity and the Black Axe Aiye Confraternity in Ado Ekiti, the police launched a full-scale manhunt to restore order and apprehend the perpetrators. Acting on credible intelligence, the Rapid Response Squad arrested suspects including Aluko Olamide, Atewogboye Olumide Emmanuel, and Salawudeen Lookman.
Recovered from the suspects were phones, SIM cards, locally made single-barrel guns, and cartridges. The suspects confessed to a series of crimes, including the killing of ticket agent Omoyajowo Olanipekun, PoS operator Ibrahim Taofeek Ayinde, and rice hawker Abdullahi Dogon-Daji. They also admitted to attacking and killing Abdullahi Abubakar during a robbery and injuring Olakunle Rasak, who is currently hospitalized.
The suspects further revealed that the killing of the rice hawker was accidental, as their actual target was a rival cult member. They stated that their actions were in retaliation for the killing of their member, Okunola Dami, by a rival cult group in May.
In addition to the cult-related arrests, the police also paraded suspects involved in various robbery incidents in Ado Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti, as well as a group specializing in vehicle theft.
The Planter of Christ Apostolic Church Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Sam Olu, had previously called for swift action from security agencies and the Ekiti State Government to bring the culprits to justice. The recent arrests demonstrate the police’s commitment to addressing the rising crime and ensuring the safety of Ekiti State residents.
Eighteen-Eleven Media