- The suspects were identified as Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi and Suleiman Abdulahi
On Tuesday, Ekiti State police announced the arrest of five suspected kidnappers in a bush near the Iju/Ikere boundary.
The apprehension was a result of collaborative efforts between the police and other security operatives, as detailed in a press statement.
The statement reads: “In a bid to flush out criminal elements especially kidnappers out of the State, a combined team of the police, NSCDC, Amotekun, O.P.C and local hunters today being embarked on a bush combing operation through Oke-Osun, Ikere/Igbo-Okah to the thick forest around Iju/Ikere boundary.”
The suspects were identified as Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi and Suleiman Abdulahi by the police.
The statement added: “During interrogation, the suspects claimed to be herdsmen but it was later discovered that none of them has cattle and no cattle was found with them in the forest where they were arrested.”
The arrest of the five suspects came a few hours after the state government confirmed the bandit attack and abduction of students, teachers, and a driver in the Emure-Ekiti area of the state.
It was gathered that the incident caused panic among residents of the town. Some residents have appealed to security agencies for protection.
Suspected terrorists also attacked Oke-Ako in the Ikole Local Government Area of the state and killed two traditional rulers.