From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command on Wednesday paraded three suspects allegedly involved in last week’s killings in the state.
Recall that a ticket seller working with the Okada Riders Association in the state, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, and a rice seller were shot and killed at different locations in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Parading the three suspects and 18 others at the Command’s headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, said the three suspects were members of different cult groups who perpetrated the killings as reprisal attacks in the state.
He said the trio was arrested for conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and murder, while others were arrested in connection with different crimes in the state.
“As a result of the recent fracas among rival secret cult group members, especially the Supreme ‘Eiye’ Confraternity and the Black Axe ‘Aiye’ Confraternity in Ado-Ekiti, [which] led to serious unrest as well as killing and robbing of innocent citizens, suspected to have been perpetrated by some members of these secret cult groups, the Command activated a full-scale manhunt to arrest the perpetrators, bring them to justice and restore a peaceful atmosphere,” he said. “Through this, the Command RRS Operatives, acting on a credible tip-off, arrested one Aluko Olamide, a.k.a SANDA, in Ado-Ekiti on 23/06/2024. A search was conducted in his house and three mobile phones, six ATM cards, and 32 different SIM cards belonging to victims were recovered.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Atewogboye Olumide Emmanuel at Ekute Quarters, Ado-Ekiti on 24/06/2024. A search of his room was carried out and two locally made single-barrel guns and nine live cartridges were recovered.
“Effort intensified on 24/06/2024 led to the arrest of one Salawudeen Lookman, one of the killer squad members and a member of Eiye Confraternity. The suspects confessed that they, alongside other fleeing members of their gang identified as Atewogboye Ibrahim, a.k.a Apeleko, Lati Olorifunfun, and one nicknamed Tornado, were responsible for the killing of one Omoyajowo Olanipekun at Okesa Junction, Ado-Ekiti, on 18/06/2024; the killing of one Ibrahim Taofeek Ayinde at [the location] opposite Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti; and the killing of one Abdullahi Dogon-Daji inside Bisi Market, Ado-Ekiti, on 20/06/2024.
“They equally confessed to attacking and killing one Abdullahi Abubakar on 19/06/2024 during the process of robbing him of his motorcycle. The gang equally shot one Olakunle Rasak at Ori Apata, along Adebayo Area, Ado-Ekiti, who is presently receiving treatment in the hospital.
“The suspects confessed further that the killing of Abdullahi Dogon-Daji inside Bisi Market was a mistake as they actually targeted a rival cult member who was standing beside the victim.
“According to them, the attack was to avenge the killing of one Okunola Dami, a.k.a Dami Richie, who was their member, that was shot dead on 27/05/2024 around Dalimore Area, beside Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, by members of a rival secret cult group. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other fleeing members.
“All the suspects arrested will be arraigned accordingly.”
Abutu added, “The Command wishes to appreciate all the good-spirited members of the public whose credible and timely information supplied has led to these achievements. This, we pray, should be sustained in order to ensure a safer and better society.”
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