The Ekiti State command of the Nigeria Police has arrested three suspected cultists allegedly responsible for the killings of some residents in the state recently.
Tribune Online had reported that the gunmen suspected to be cultists killed no fewer than five persons including a point of sale (PoS) agent in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital at different locations last week.
Speaking while parading the suspects alongside 18 other suspects at the command’s headquarters on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sunday Abutu, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kunle Akinwale, explained that the suspects were arrested following a discreet investigation by the command after the last week’s attack.
The police spokesman said that the suspects were members of different cult groups who killed people in the state as reprisal attacks within their confraternity.
He said, “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 that 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.
“The suspects confessed that they, alongside other fleeing members of their gang 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 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 the attacking and killing of 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 revenge 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.”
He added that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court for prosecution.
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