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Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State police command, has, following the death of two persons in a crisis by factioal groups in Ire Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the State, commenced a
mop up operation in the community to fish our perpetrators and prevent further occurrence.
Crisis erupted on Sunday in the town over enforcement on stoppage of traditional festival as directed by the government in line with COVID-19 guidelines.
Sequel to the government order, the Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor Bobade banned celebration of the annual Ogun Onire Festival to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
The action which allegedly provoked the Ogun worshippers, led to an onslaught on the palace of Oba Bobade where two persons were killed and a car burnt in the process.
The police had arrested one person in connection with the bloody crisis as others at large had been declared wanted.
In a statement on Wednesday, in Ado-Ekiti, the Police Commissioner, Mr Babatunde Mobayo, said the operation became expedient to halt further killings and proliferation of light arms in the town.
The statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said: “In order to restore peace to the Community, the Commissioner of Police wishes to inform the people of Ire-Ekiti that the Police shall be carrying out a mop up operation and investigation to fish out the perpetrators in the Community from the hour of 6:00am today,12th August, 2020.
“In view of this, the Commissioner implores the people of Ire-Ekiti Community to be law abiding, cooperate with the Police deployed and avoid any act that could frustrate the aim of the operation, as such adverse act shall not be tolerated.”
Mobayo observed with dismay, how some “unscrupulous” persons in their large number had taken to the streets, destroying property, causing injuries and death of innocent citizens and consequently causing a state of anarchy and unnecessary apprehension.
