Police arrest 25 suspects over Owo cult clash

The Ondo state police command says it has arrested 25 suspects in connection with the recent cult clash in Owo LGA of the state.

Wilfred Afolabi, the state commissioner of police, announced the development during the parade of the criminal suspects over the weekend.

The clash, which reportedly claimed four lives, prompted Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state governor, to impose a dawn-to-dusk curfew in Owo town on Monday.

“We have arrested 25 individuals in connection with the recent crisis in Owo. Eight suspects were found culpable. Few suspects have been identified as having direct involvement in the criminal activities,” the police commissioner said.

“Olamide Ogunseyila, 28, confessed to being a member of a cult group. Gbenga Bisi, 25, (Wife of Steven Dada, also known as “Ogodo,” who is currently on the run) was apprehended alongside Gbenga Esther, 20, at a hideout where the Police found a double-barrel, cut-to-size gun, two expended cartridges, and additional ammunition.

“Ijarotimi Taye, 61, the Police discovered physical injuries round his body and could not give a satisfactory account on how he got the injuries raising suspicions about his involvement. The duo of Bero Adeola, 30, and Olabode Ojo, 30, (A.k.A Paw paw) who claimed his brother’s wife and child were killed in the melee was arrested in their hideout in Akure.

“They both confessed to be cultists belonging to Ave group and claimed its Eiye and Aiye group that are fighting. The Suspects claimed they left Owo because of the fight because they do not want to be part of it. Ijalade Olorunfemi and Ayodele Olayemi. Both have been implicated as cultists through ongoing investigations.”

The commissioner said 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 and any other individual connected to the criminal activities.

Afolabi said the command also arrested and paraded one Monday Elela for allegedly killing his 14-year-old son, Tope, for stealing in Akoko north-west LGA of the state.

The boy had died after Elele beat him, following his escape from the custody of the state security network codenamed Amotekun corps.

Speaking with reporters, the suspect said his son was a disgrace to the family, as he engaged in housebreaking, stealing, and other criminal activities.

He added that he did not know the boy would die from the beating.

Elela and his wife, who escaped from town, were alleged to have buried their deceased son in a shallow grave under a banana tree behind their house.