The Police have arrested several suspects involved in the mayhem that occurred in Ile-Ife, Osun State on 8th March, 2017.
The arrests were made after the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni, deployed Police Special Intervention Force, comprising Five Units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF specially trained Anti Riot Policemen), Five Cells of Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen, Special Anti Robbery Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Technical Intelligence Unit, SIB, detachment of EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), with their Headquarters in Ile-Ife, led by the Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The operations which covered the entire Ile-Ife and environs, and other trouble spots in Osun State was successfully executed leading to the arrest, detention and investigation of 38 suspects out of which 20 suspects were found culpable for direct and indirect participation in the killing of innocent people, maiming and destruction of properties of the victims worth millions of naira, Police authorities said.
A statement by police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood indicated that the suspects will be prosecuted on completion of investigation, while the remaining 18 suspects have been released unconditionally for lack of prima facie evidence against them yet.
Trouble began on Tuesday, 7th March 2017 when one Nasiru Abdul Magaji of no. 50, Sabo Street, Ile-Ife, Osun State reported at Moore Police Station that one Oba Ademola Ademiluyi, the Lawarikan of Apoje land, one Eluwole Akeem (a.k.a Escort) and Kuburat wife of ‘Escort’ all of Ile-Ife, brought some hoodlums with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to attack the Hausas resident at Sabo area of Ile Ife over a fight between one Abubakar Mohammed of Sabo and Kuburat the wife of Escort.
The affray which arose from an altercation between the said Kuburat and Mohammed, was amicably settled on Monday, 6th March 2017.
Based on the report at the Moore Police Station, a case of conduct likely to cause breach of peace was made against the duo of Kuburat and Mohammed and on getting to the scene; the Police team met two groups comprising the Hausas and the Yorubas throwing stones at each other.
The riotous groups were dispersed and calm was restored. The responding Police teams maintained presence at Sabo area of Ile Ife up till the next day.
Unexpectedly, on Wednesday 8th March, 2017, the peace of the area was shattered with the eruption of crisis that led to the gruesome killings of 46 people.
A total of 96 others were taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) out of which 81 were treated and discharged, while 15 are still on admission receiving treatment.
The Police therefore urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their subjects, supporters, children and wards to support the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force still on ground in Ile Ife and other flash points in Osun State in the discharge of their responsibilities, and propagate peace.
The Police also assured the good people and communities of Ile-Ife and other parts of the state of adequate security and protection of their lives and properties, while enjoining them to be law abiding.
