The Ondo state Police command weekend arrested 25 individuals in connection with the recent crisis in Owo town, Ondo state.
While briefing press on the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said few suspects have been identified as having direct involvement in the criminal activities.
He stated that one Olamide Ogunseyila ‘m’ age 28 year confessed to being a member of a cult group and Gbenga Bisi, ‘F’ age 25 years (Wife of Steven Dada, also known as “Ogodo,” who is currently on the run) was apprehended alongside Gbenga Esther, ‘F’, age 20 years at a hideout where the police found a double-barrel, cut-to-size gun, two expended cartridges, and additional ammunition.
The commissioner said Police discovered physical injuries round the body one Ijarotimi Taye, ‘M’ aged 61 year, and he could not give a satisfactory account on how he got the injuries thus raising suspicions about his involvement in the crisis.
The police investigation team also apprehended 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. He was arrested in a hideout in Akure.
The duo confessed to be cultists belonging to Ave group and claimed its Eiye and Aiye group are fighting and causing crisis in the ancient town of Owo.
While the suspects claimed they left Owo due to the crisis as they do not want to be part of it, they were later traced to the incident. Ijalade Olorunfemi, ‘m’ aged 42 years and Ayodele Olayemi ’m’ aged 20 years were implicated as cultists through ongoing investigations.
The police stated that 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 the criminal activities.