By Afolabi Sunday
In the unwavering determination of Ekiti State Police Command at ensuring the safety of lives and properties of all citizens in Ekiti state, one cleric and twelve other suspected criminals were paraded on Thursday by the command at the Police Headquarters for various crimes.
The offences commited by these suspects include, rape, cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and suspected Indian hemp dealers.
One Salisu Rasaq, a Muslim cleric was arrested by the Gender Desk Unit (GDU) of the Command for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of two 17 year old girls in Agbado Ekiti. It was revealed that the victims in their quest for spiritual favour visited the Muslim cleric suspect in his home where he gave them some soap to bath for spiritual favour.
As part of the conditions for the soap to work, the cleric at separate times had carnal knowledge of the two teenagers and he was subsequently arrested when a relative of one of the victims lodged a complaint in the station.
In a related event, a couple, Olomolaye Sesan and his wife, Olomolaye Kehinde were arrested by the Juvenile Women Centre, (JWC) unit of the State CID on the 2nd, of November, for unlawfully having carnal knowledge of their 17 year old house help thereby, causing her grievous body harm.
More information was gathered after interrogation that the suspects did not stop at that as his wife, Olomolaye Kehinde went ahead to inflict serious damage on the innocent girl who happens to be her relative with hot iron after accusing her of spending N100 naira out of her money while hawking fish for the sister.
The victim further alleged her sisters husband of raping her severally on different occasions which the suspect confessed to during interrogation we.
Also, on the 29th of October, a gang of armed hoodlums numbering about five forcefully stormed the resident of one Kehinde Kaseem at Oke – Ako, Itapaji Ekiti,shot sporadically into the air and attacked him in an attempt to kidnap him.
The armed hoodlums also invaded his shop and cash sum of one hundred thousand naira (#100,000) and other valuables were carted away. Effort made by the Command Rapid Response Squad(RRS) led to the arrest of two suspects, namely: Usman Suleiman and Mohammed Sumonu.
The suspects, during interrogation, confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned other gang members who are currently on the run.
In a similar vein, the Command Operatives, while acting on a credible information, on the 4th of November, and with a view to flush out criminal elements hiding inside Ikere/Ijare forest, discovered a cultivation of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
During search of the farm, one Alfred Macaulay, Promise Odogwu and Chukwuemeka Bright were arrested while other members of the gang took to their heels. During the operation,forty bags containing weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspects at the scene. Effort is ongoing for the possible arrest of the fleeing suspect.
In another swift response to a distress call on the 4th of November, that a gang of suspected cultists were having there meeting and initiation inside a building in Oye Ekiti, the Command Rapid Response Squad Operatives carried out a raid operation where one Igbayilola Seun, Esan Emmanuel and Idowu Adebayo were arrested.
During investigation, it was revealed that the suspects are illicit drugs peddlers. During a search conducted in their houses and premises, large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs were recovered from them.
When interrogated, the suspects confessed to be traders of illicit drugs and gave the identities of other suspects who are currently at large
As part of their effective operations in the State, the Command, on 8th of November, arrested one OMONIYI AJAYI at Oke-ila Area of Ado-Ekiti for Burgling into two dwelling houses belonging to two different owners along Ilawe road, Ado Ekiti, and carting away some of there belongings.
Investigation revealed that the suspect burgled the two houses alongside his gang members and stole items such as one generator, three seater chair, food stuffs, 12Kg gas cylinder, rug, two side bedstools, clothes and a cash sum of #25000.
Upon his arrest, some of the stolen items were recovered from him. Further investigation revealed that the suspect was released from prison custody about two months ago after committing similar offence, arrested, arraigned and sentenced to an imprisonment term.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and claimed to have sold some of the stolen items.
The Commissioner of Police commended the members of the public for their cooperation and support for the Police by supplying timely and credible information that have led to these great achievements which has ensured that the State remains one of the most peaceful States in the Country.
He promised that the Command will continue to work round the clock during and after these EMBER months for the sustainability of the current peaceful atmosphere across the State.
