By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja
Police yesterday confirmed the arrest of 38 persons in connection with the recent unrest in Ile-Ife, Osun state, just 46 people were confirmed to have died from the crisis and 96 others injured.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP JImoh Moshood, disclosed this while Parading some of the suspects before journalists at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
He said the suspects were arrested by the Special Intervention Force deployed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, noting that though a total of 38 suspects were arrested, 18 were set free owing to lack of prima facie evidence against them.
Five units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), among other Special Forces, deployed to investigate and arrest suspects, were led by a Commissioner of Police in charge of the PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The police spokesperson, who further stated that the crisis had claimed 46 lives, said 96 people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A mild drama, however, ensued during question and answer session, as allegations of “lopsided arrests” were raised given that almost all the suspects were from one ethnic group.
Most of the suspects denied their alleged involvement, however, the police spokesperson assured of the police’s professionalism and unbiased disposition in the discharge of their duties.
According to Moshood: “The operations covered the entire Ile-Ife and environs, and other flash/trouble spots in Osun State, and was successfully executed leading to the arrest, detention and investigation of thirty eight (38) suspects out of which Twenty (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, they will be prosecuted on completion of investigation, while the remaining eighteen (18) suspects have been released unconditionally for lack of prima facie evidence against them yet ( Find attached list of the suspects to be prosecuted and those released unconditionally).”
Giving a background to the incident, the FPRO said: “On Tuesday, 7th March 2017 at about 2010hrs, one Alh. Nasiru Abdul Magaji ‘m’ of no. 50, Sabo Street, Ile-Ife, Osun State reported at Moore Police Station that one Oba Ademola Ademiluyi ‘m, the Lawarikan of Apoje land, one Eluwole Akeem ‘m’ (a.k.a Escort) and Kuburat wife of Eluwole Akeem ‘Escort’ all of Ile-Ife, (allegedly) 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 ‘m’ of Sabo and Kuburat the wife of Eluwole Akeem ‘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 other persons were taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) out of which 81 of them were treated and discharged, while 15 of the victims are still on admission receiving treatment.”
He denied claims that the police embarked on indiscriminate arrest of suspects, even as he appealed to traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders, to cooperate with the security operatives in their efforts to restore permanent peace to the area.
He stated thus: “The Special Intervention Force deployed to quell the crisis did not engage in indiscriminate arrests as being reported in some media but worked on actionable intelligence and other information gathered during and after the crisis. And that is why 18 suspects found not to be involved in the crisis were released unconditionally.
“Traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians are hereby called upon 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, demonstrate love, and tolerance to promote harmonious coexistence with their brothers and fellow citizens, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political inclinations and differences.”
