It will be recalled that consequent on the
unfortunate clashes, disturbance of public peace and mayhem that occurred in
Ile-Ife, Osun State on the 8th of March, 2017 which resulted in the
loss of innocent lives, destruction of properties worth Millions of Naira, and
the need to put an end to the crisis, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris deployed
Police Special Intervention Force, comprising Five (5) Units of the Police
Mobile Force (PMF specially trained Anti Riot Policemen), Five (5) Cells of
Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen, Special Anti Robbery Squad,
Intelligence Response Team, Technical Intelligence Unit, SIB, detachment of
EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), with their Headquarters in Ile-Ife, led
by the Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
2. The operations covered the entire Ile-Ife and
environs, and other flash/trouble spots in Osun State, and was successfully
executed leading to the arrest, detention and investigation of thirty eight
(38) suspects out of which Twenty (20) suspects were found culpable for direct
and indirect participation in the killing of innocent people, maiming and
destruction of properties of the victims worth millions of naira, they will be
prosecuted on completion of investigation, while the remaining eighteen (18)
suspects have been released unconditionally for lack of prima facie evidence
against them yet ( Find attached list of the suspects to be prosecuted and
those released unconditionally).
3. Brief
facts:
On Tuesday, 7th March
2017 at about 2010hrs, one Alh. Nasiru Abdul Magaji ‘m’ of no. 50, Sabo Street,
Ile-Ife, Osun State reported at Moore Police Station that one Oba Ademola
Ademiluyi ‘m, the Lawarikan of Apoje land, one ELUWOLE Akeem ‘m’ (a.k.a
Escort) and Kuburat wife of ELUWOLE Akeem ‘Escort’ all of Ile-Ife, brought some
hoodlums with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to attack the Hausas
resident at Sabo area of Ile Ife over a fight between one Abubakar Mohammed ‘m’
of Sabo and Kuburat the wife of ELUWOLE Akeem ‘Escort’. The affray which arose from
an altercation between the said Kuburat and Mohammed, was amicably settled on
Monday, 6th March 2017.
4. Based on the report at the Moore Police
Station, a case of conduct likely to cause breach of peace was made against the
duo of Kuburat and Mohammed and on getting to the scene; the Police team met
two groups comprising the Hausas and the Yorubas throwing stones at each other.
The riotous groups were dispersed and calm was restored. The responding Police
teams maintained presence at Sabo area of Ile Ife up till the next day.
Unexpectedly, on Wednesday 8th March, 2017, the peace of the area
was shattered with the eruption of crisis that led to the gruesome killings of
forty-six (46) people. A total of
ninety-six (96) other persons were
taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) out of which
eighty one (81) of them were treated
and discharged, while Fifteen (15) of the victims are still on admission
receiving treatment.
5. The
Special Intervention Force deployed to quell the crisis did not engage in
indiscriminate arrests as being reported in some media but worked on actionable
intelligence and other information gathered during and after the crisis. And
that is why eighteen (18) suspects found not to be involved in the crisis were
released unconditionally.
6. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders,
politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians are hereby called upon to
prevail on their subjects, supporters, children and wards to support the
personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force still on ground in Ile Ife
and other flash points in Osun State in the discharge of their
responsibilities, and propagate peace, demonstrate love, and tolerance to
promote harmonious coexistence with their brothers and fellow citizens,
irrespective of religious, ethnic or political inclinations and differences.
7. The Inspector
General of Police hereby assures the good people and communities of Ile-Ife and
other parts of the state of adequate security and protection of their lives and
properties and enjoins them to be law abiding and give a chance for peace to
prevail.
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