Ondo Police Command has confirmed the arrest of some persons on its wanted list in connection with last week’s cult-related clashes in Owo, headquarters of Owo local government of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, who disclosed this during the parade of the suspects, said 25 people suspected to be cultists in connection with the recent clashes have been arrested and under interrogation.
The police boss said the arrest was made possible during a successful tactical operation carried out by the command, and said the suspects were arrested at different locations.
He explained that some of the cult members are still at large, but assured that all those who participated or were involved in the gruesome attack would be brought to book.
According to him, few of the arrested suspects have been identified as having direct involvement in the criminal activities that left five people dead in the ancient town of Owo community.
He explained that two notorious cult members were apprehended in their hideout in Akure, the state capital, fleeing Owo after the clash between the rival cult group.
The police boss said ” In the early hours of today, the duo of Bero Adeola ‘M’ age 30 years, and Olabode Ojo ‘M’ age 30 years (A.k.A Paw paw) who claimed his brother’s wife and child were killed in the melee was arrested in their hideout in Akure.
“They both confessed to being cultists belonging to Ave group and claimed it was Eiye and Aiye group that were fighting.
“According to them, they claimed they left Owo because of the fight because they did not want to be part of it or involved in the clash.
“One Olamide Ogunseyila ‘m’ age 28 years old also confessed to being a member of anither cult group”
The CP said the police are on the trail of three other notorious cultists, Ijalade Olorunfemi, Steven Dada (alias “Ogodo”) and Ayodele Olayemi, saying they have been implicated in the clashes.
He disclosed that a double-barrel, cut-to-size gun, two expended cartridges, and additional ammunition were found in Ogodo’s house.
He stated that “one Ijalade Olorunfemi, ‘m’ aged 42 years and Ayodele Olayemi ’m’ aged 20 years have been implicated in the clashes through ongoing investigations.
“The remaining suspects are currently undergoing thorough interrogation to ascertain their roles in the crisis while the command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Steven Dada (alias “Ogodo”) and any other individual connected to these criminal activities”
The Police boss, however, reiterated the commitment of the command to protection of lives and property of the people of the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the Police and other security agencies around them.