• Parade suspected cultists responsible for recent killings
Ekiti State Police Command has arrested one Omotuyi Temitope, who allegedly masterminded the 2012 jail break that resulted in the escape of 220 inmates.
The police also arrested three suspects behind recent killings in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while three others are currently at large.
Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, yesterday, the police spokesperson, DSP Sunday Abutu, said the alleged mastermind was arrested by men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at Alex Grace Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, alongside four others.
According to him, he had earlier in 2012 been arrested for the offence of conspiracy and armed robbery, adding that they were charged to court and remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre.
He said: “While in the correctional centre, the suspect and one Jimoh Sadiku colluded with their gang members outside, and broke the gate, which resulted in the escape of 220 inmates.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect thereafter fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he was involved in a murder case, arrested, imprisoned for six years, and later repatriated to Nigeria.
“It was also gathered that the suspect, alongside other members of his gang currently at large, robbed many innocent citizens in Ado-Ekiti.”
Abutu noted that other suspects, including one Aluko Olamide, a.k.a Sanda, Atewogboye Olumide Emmanuel, Salawudeen Lookman, who were alleged to be members of rival cult groups, especially the Aye confraternity, were arrested at various locations in Ado Ekiti after the men of RRS activated a full-scale manhunt.
Abutu said: The suspects confessed that they, alongside other fleeing members of their gang identified as Atewogboye Ibrahim a.k.a Apeleko, Lati Olorifunfun, and ‘Tornado’, were responsible for the killing of one Omoyajowo Olanipekun at Okesa Junction, Ado-Ekiti on June 18; the killing of one Ibrahim Taofeek Ayinde, opposite Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti; and the killing of one Abdullahi Dogon-Daji inside Bisi Market, Ado-Ekiti, on June 20.
“They equally confessed to attacking and killing of one Abdullahi Abubakar on June 19, during the process of robbing him of his motorcycle. The gang equally shot one Olakunle Rasak at Ori Apata, along the Adebayo area, Ado-Ekiti, who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
He added: “The suspects confessed that the killing of Abdullahi Dogon-Daji inside Bisi Market was a mistake as they actually targeted a rival cult member who was standing beside the victim.
“According to them, the attack was to revenge the killing of one Okunola Dami a.k.a Dami Richie, a member that was shot dead on May 27, around the Dalimore area by members of a rival secret cult group.”