The Nigeria Police Headquarters has announced the arrest of no fewer than 38 persons in connection with recent disturbances in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood said in a statement issued on Monday that 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.

He also disclosed that the suspects will be prosecuted on completion of investigation, while the remaining 18 have been released unconditionally for lack of prima facie evidence against them.

The Police Spokesman recalled that consequent on the unfortunate clashes, disturbance of public peace and mayhem that occurred in Ile-Ife, 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 units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) specially trained Anti Riot Policemen, five Cells of Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen, Special Anti Robbery Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Technical Intelligence Unit, 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.

“On Tuesday 7^th March, 2017 at about 2010hrs, one Alh. Nasiru Abdul Magaji of No. 50, Sabo Street, Ile-Ife, Osun State reported at Moore Police Station that one Oba Ademola Ademiluyi the Lawarikan of Apoje land, one Eluwole Akeem (a.k.a Escort) and Kuburat, wife of Eluwole Akeem 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 of Sabo and Kuburat the wife of Eluwole Akeem. The affray, which arose from an altercation between the said Kuburat and Mohammed, was amicably settled on Monday, 6th March 2017.

“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 till the following 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 46 people. A total of 96 other persons were taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) out of which 81 of them were treated and discharged, while 15 of the victims were still on admission receiving treatment.

“The Special Intervention Force deployed to quell the crisis did not engage in indiscriminate arrests as being reported in some sections of the media but worked on actionable intelligence and other information gathered during and after the crisis. And that is why 18 suspects found not to be involved in the crisis were released unconditionally.”

The Police called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians 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.