Soldiers arrest ‘over 100 armed thugs’ in Ekiti

Troops of the 32 artillery brigade, Owena barracks, Akure, Ondo state have arrested at least 105 suspected thugs in Ekiti.

The suspects were intercepted and arrested at checkpoints in Efon Alaaye, Efon LGA while heading for Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday evening.

The suspects were being transported in about four buses.

Confirming the development, Sunday Abutu, Ekiti police spokesperson, told TheCable on Wednesday that the suspects were arrested with arms and ammunition.

Abutu said the suspects are currently at the barracks and will be handed over to the police later.

Asked what may be the intention of the suspects in the state, the police spokesperson said he cannot make a comment on their intention until they are handed over to the police for investigation.

“They were arrested at military checkpoints with arms, ammunition and cutlasses. They are still in military custody. We hope that they will soon be handed over to the police and our investigation will commence,” he said.

“When they are handed over to us, we will now begin our investigation about where they are coming from, where they are going to, their mission and so on will now be revealed as soon as our own investigation commences.”

TheCable understands the suspected thugs may have been heading for the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) being held in the state as of the time of filing this report.