In relation to the recent attack on police personnel in the towns of Erin-Osun and Ilobu, Osun State Police Command has verified the arrest of fourteen more suspects.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of Commissioner of Police CP Ibrahim Gotan, the Command said that this brings the total number of suspects detained in connection with the incident to eighteen, as a result of what it called “sustained intelligence-led operations.”
According to DSP Ojelabi, Ibrahim Gotan, the Commissioner of Police, coordinated the arrests.
“The suspects had first gone into hiding after the attack but were later apprehended through targeted intelligence gathering,” the statement said.
The police also said that a cutlass, a single-barrel rifle, and one live cartridge were among the exhibits found during the raid.
Community leaders are among those detained, “including Mustau Salam, the Oluode of Ilobu, Tajudeen Aralamo, the Baale of Oke Ayepe, and Olaitan Bashiru, identified as the Baale of Apeponroro.”
“Jimoh Nurudeen, Adeboye Ashifa, Ajibola Segun, Mustapha Muwaliu, Jimoh Quyum, Ajani Faruq, Musibau Jimoh, Ajani Faruq, Olaniyan Quadri, Fatai Oyawoyin, Basiru Olaogun, Mutairu Olawoyin, Ige Jimoh, Olawoyin Samad, and Tajudeen Taorid” are among the other suspects named by the police.
The Command reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring justice is done while respecting the human rights of all those engaged in the case.
According to the statement, “The Command guarantees that everyone involved in the criminal act will face the full weight of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Police urged the people to uphold the law and assist security services by providing helpful information, adding that attempts are still being made to capture further fugitive criminals.
The Osun State Police Command had earlier on Thursday stated that four individuals in relation to the incident had been taken into custody.
Additional people connected to the incident have been identified and are being pursued for arrest, the police stated.
The officers were attacked while reacting to information about a possible breakdown in peace between the Erin-Osun and Ilobu communities, the Command disclosed.
