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One Arrested, Others Declared Wanted After Ekiti Festival Turns Violent
By Emmanuel Awosika
The Ekiti State Police Command arrested one man and declared 15 others wanted in connection with the violence that erupted during the Ogun Onire festival in the Iye-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, causing the death of two people.
According to reports, the two people had died in the melee that ensued following the attempts by stop the festival in line with government Covid-19 regulations.
Recall that Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, had banned the celebrations of traditional festivals until the Coronavirus was subdued.
Attempting to enforce the Governor’s orders, Oba Victor Bobade, the town’s monarch, inadvertently sparked off a violent clash with the worshippers of the Ogun Onire deity. In the ensuing fracas, the Oba’s palace was attacked and one of the vehicles at the palace got burnt.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Abutu, said one of the persons allegedly responsible for killing the two people had been apprehended and placed in detention.
“One person had been arrested and more than 15 persons have been declared wanted. They have run away, but our men are on their trail.
“We won’t allow people to take laws into their hands or resort to self-help over small issue. We are going to apprehend whoever had hands in these killings and ensure that they face the full weight of the law,” he said.
ASP Abutu further rejected allegations that the people had died from stray bullets fired by members of the police dispatched to quell the disorder.
He said, “Just go and check the corpses of the two persons that were killed during the crisis. No sign of gunshots. In fact, they were clubbed to death.
“The two rival factions were carrying planks and other dangerous weapons and those who died were hit with dangerous weapons, so they didn’t die through gunshots.”
The police spokesman confirmed that the policemen would stay in the town until some measure of calm returned to the area.
He re-affirmed the police’s dedication to the case, saying that all those involved in the ignoble act would be prosecuted in the court of justice.
