Police: 21 suspects arrested over killing of Ekiti monarchs, abduction of pupils

Muyiwa Adejobi, the police public relations officer (PPRO), says 13 suspects have been arrested over the killing of two monarchs in Ekiti state.

Adejobi spoke on Thursday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

On Monday, two of three Ekiti monarchs returning from a meeting in Irele-Ekiti were attacked and gunned down.

The traditional rulers killed were David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti; and Olatunde Olusola, the Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti.

Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, who was part of the trip, survived the ambush.

The police spokesperson said Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP) has directed that a thorough report be produced in respect of the arrest.

“Now we have 13 suspects arrested in connection to that incident and we are working with them. They are actually giving us reliable and useful information that we are working on,” the force PRO said.

“I’m sure the IGP has directed the CP to have a comprehensive report in that regard. As I speak with you they went to the forest today and I’m sure by now if they are back, they must have also picked some criminally minded people who are causing trouble in that area.”

‘EIGHT SUSPECTS ARRESTED OVER ABDUCTION OF SCHOOL PUPILS’

Meanwhile, the police command in Ekiti has said that eight suspects have been arrested over the abduction of school pupils in the state.

On Monday, gunmen kidnapped six pupils of Apostolic Faith School, three teachers, and a driver while the school bus was heading to Eporo-Ekiti from Emure.

The kidnappers have demanded N100 million as ransom but subsequently reduced the price to N15 million for nine of the victims.

In a statement on Thursday, Sunday Abutu, the command’s spokesperson, said some suspected kidnappers were arrested during bush raids carried out by a joint task force, including the police and other security agencies in the state.

He identified the suspects arrested as Yaya Sumaila, Idrisu Abubakar, Hassan Abdulahi, Abudullahi Abudullahi, Haruna Abubakar, Usman Abudullahi, Haruna Sule and Babusa Alhaji Lede.

Abutu said three cutlasses, an axe, a dagger, a life cow, and food items were some of the items recovered from the suspects.

“Following the recent kidnapping of some school children in Emure-Ekiti and the killing of two traditional rulers in Ikole-Ekiti, the Command, to ensure the rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the culprits, deployed the Rapid Response Squad for a bush combing operation in collaboration with the military personnel, Amotekun Corps, Vigilantes, Local Hunters, Members of Agbekoya Group including Policemen and Amotekun Corps from Ondo State,” the statement reads.