Police arrest 19 suspects over violent cult clashes in Owo

No fewer than 19 suspects have been apprehended by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command over the violent cult clashes that rocked Owo, headquarters of the Owo Local Council Area of the state.

According to the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Wilfred Afolabi, those found culpable will
face the full wrath of the law.

While disclosing this to journalists during an on-the-spot assessment of the clashes in the ancient town, the police commissioner stated that all the suspects were arrested in connection with Monday’s cult clash.
Five persons were killed on Monday in the cult war, after which Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the community.

Afolabi stressed that the on-the-spot assessment was necessary to monitor compliance with the curfew imposed on the town by the state government.

The commissioner noted that his men had restored peace in the town, stating that all the affected areas visited by his team were now calm.

He assured the public that other suspects involved in the clashes would also be apprehended.

He said, “We are in Owo this morning to monitor the level of compliance with the curfew imposed on the town by the state government. So far, normalcy has returned, and there is calm and peace across the town.

“Currently, we have 19 suspects in our custody, and our records confirm four deaths. For peace-loving citizens, we assure them of a conducive environment.

“However, for those who hate peace, they will not find it easy with us. Wherever they go, we will track them down, and the law will catch up with them.”

The areas visited by the Ondo Police Commissioner included Ehin Ogbe, Ijebu Owo, the palace area, among others.