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Police confirm 46 killed in Ile-Ife violence, parade 20 suspects

By Karls Tsokar Abuja
21 March 2017   |   4:30 am
The Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazzau had in the wake of the crisis directed that all those found to be culpable in the crisis be prosecuted.

The suspects

Twenty suspects allegedly involved in the Ile-Ife, Osun State crisis were paraded at the Nigeria Police headquarters, Abuja yesterday, over alleged involvement in the killing of 46 persons. Scores were also injured in the mayhem and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

The Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazzau had in the wake of the crisis directed that all those found to be culpable in the crisis be prosecuted.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Jimoh Moshood said 38 suspects were earlier arrested, detained and investigated, 18 of the arrested persons were found not to be directly involved, so they were released, even as investigation had continued.

According to Moshood, the investigation led by a police commissioner deployed from the force headquarters, led the deployment of Special Intervention units, comprising of Mobile Police, K-9 (sniffer dogs) among others combed the entire Ile Ife and its environs.

While stating that it was a thorough investigation, contrary to the insinuation that it was a random process that did not segregate or discriminate, he said all the suspects were aware of the crimes they have committed and would be charged to court for proper prosecution.

He said that one Eluwole Akeem and his wife Kuburat were arrested last week in Ibadan where they were hiding to evade arrest. The action of the woman was said to have triggered the crisis, when she slapped one Abubakar Mohammed in the course of an argument.

Her husband was alleged to have sponsored some thugs called in by one Ademola Ademiluyi called Oba who arranged the thugs that brought in cutlasses, axes and machete (also displayed) used in perpetrating the mayhem.

Speaking in Yoruba, ‘Oba’ said he was not aware of the allegations against him, as he was arrested randomly at night in his house.

The 20 suspects all from the troubled area appeared shocked at the allegations as they all wanted to say something, apparently to defend themselves. The FPRO however, said they would be taken to court as soon as investigation is competed.

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