By Adekunle Ogbonnaiye, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Police Command has warned politicians against unruly
behavours and shun acts that can heat up the polity, thereby causing
public unrest as the 2018 governorship poll approaches in the state.
The command has also arrested a 29-year old murder suspect, Adeyemi
Adewale and two accomplices, Messrs Adejumo Fatai, 46 and Abayomi
Olubokun, 71, for allegedly plotting to forcefully take power from the
chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Ekiti,
Mr. Clement Adekola.
The Police also said that 14 other robbery suspects, among which were
Ogunleye Shola, Adedayo Ebenezer, Lasisi Afees, Ojo Oba and Ojo
Oluwafemi for allegedly invaded Oyan Orete farmstead in Ijan Ekiti,
Gbonyin Local Government area of the State and killed one Ramon
Olasunkanmi.
Addressing newsmen at the state headquarters in Ado Ekiti yesterday
, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdullahi Chafe, assured that
his men will be apolitical and fair to all political parties for the
success of the 2018 election.
Chafe, commended the state government and the general public for
giving the police correct information to track down crime and
criminality in the state, saying this has helped in combating crime
and criminalities.
According to the C.P., the police will not tolerate any act of
hooliganism and destruction of lives and property just because of
election.
“We are sending a warning across to all politicians that they should
behave themselves. They should see the coming election as more of game
than a war. They shouldn’t kill or maim all because you want to win
election, we are not going to tolerate these.
“Let me state clearly that our work is statutorily to protect the
lives of all Nigerians, so we are going to be fair to all
politicians. Whatever we do for any politician in party A shall be
replicated for others. We are not going to take side, because the
police as far as I know are not supposed to be political.
“As law enforcement agency, we will not shy away from dealing with any
politician who foments trouble, because the sanctity of the lives of
Nigerians is paramount to us”, Chafe said.
According to CP Chafe, he pointed out that the suspect allegedly
planning to take over the leadership of the State NURTW boss was
arrested on August 12 during a stop and search operation by Special
Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.
He added that materials recovered from him included: Two locally made
pistols, a cut-to-size single barrel and three live cartridges.
“During investigation, the 1st suspect confessed that the weapons
belong to some group of NURTW members who are planning to attack the current leadership of the union led by Com Adekola with a motive to
take over the leadership of the union.
“Further investigations by SARS led to the arrest of two other
suspects. Efforts are in progress to arrest others who are at large”,
he said.
Another landmark achievement made by the command, according to Chafe
was the arrest of a 35-year old Adeboye Adegbola Eletu for ritual and
cultism and exhibits recovered from him included, artifacts and
charms.
The commissioner further stated that the command has rejigged the
state community policing department by co-opting the traditional
rulers, market men and women, eminent personalities, students ,
artisans and other stakeholders into it, in compliance with the
directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr Ibrahim
Idris, for the betterment of the society.