Owo attack: Akeredolu confirms arrest of five suspects

Owo attack: Akeredolu confirms arrest of five suspects

By Kunle Falayi

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu has confirmed the arrest of five people relating to the terrorist attacks

He said he was delighted about the statement credited to the Defense Headquarters who earlier said some suspects have been arrested while investigation is on going.

He spoke during the visit of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) officials led by the Chairman Council, Prince Leke Adegbite.

Akeredolu also warned Ebira residents in Ondo not to join the terrorists He said he would speak to the leaders adding that Ebira have been living in Ondo State for several decades without constituting any threats

He said ”Now that the military has announced it, I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. They are still on the trail of the rest. The home where they lodged in Owo and the person that accommodated them before the attack, has also been arrested.

According to him, the Ondo State Government “did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing. I can confirm that this arrest has been made. And they are still on the trail of some of them.”

Akeredolu said recent investigations link kidnapping to some Ebira residents.

Akeredolu said “I want to use this medium to urge our brothers to concentrate on their farming trade. It will be unfortunate to know that the Ebiras in our midst are now involved in kidnapping. We are appealing to them not to copy bad thing. The traders selling by the road side should not become informants. We are not fighting them.

He said further “We have seen their numbers, they supported and voted for us during elections. I will call their leaders and talk to them. Our brothers who were kidnapped on their way to Ikare, talk to them. They were taken to Ebira farmsteads.
“For me, we have lived together for too long for this to happen. I am ready to make any effort to ensure that the conviviality that we have enjoyed continues. But we are begging their leaders to urge them not to copy bad thing. They are in our midst , we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic.”