The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested two suspects over the alleged assault, abduction and subsequent death of 45-year-old Ogunsakin Sunday, a resident of Afao-Ekiti, following a land dispute.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Abutu Sunday, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, saying the principal suspect, Rotimi Joseph Olabiowonu, popularly known as “Metilo”, and one of his alleged gang members, Adedoyin Opeyemi, were in police custody.
Abutu said the Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, had ordered a discreet and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the incident occurred on Sept. 14 at about 8:45 p.m., when Metilo and about five accomplices allegedly arrived at the deceased’s residence in a Toyota bus.
According to him, the suspects allegedly dragged Sunday out of his residence, assaulted him and whisked him away in the vehicle to an unknown destination.
The police spokesperson said the suspects allegedly pushed the victim out of the moving vehicle while in transit, causing him to sustain severe head injuries.
He said upon realising the seriousness of his condition, the suspects allegedly took him to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) for medical attention, where he was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Abutu said police operatives immediately commenced investigation after receiving the report, visited the scene and launched efforts to apprehend all those allegedly involved in the incident.
He said the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) had been directed to take over the case and conduct a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death.
The PPRO said efforts were ongoing to arrest other alleged members of the group who were still at large, adding that all persons found culpable would be brought to justice.
He quoted the CP as calling for calm and urging members of the public to avoid taking the law into their hands, but report disputes, suspicious activities and criminal incidents promptly to the police or other appropriate authorities.
The command reiterated that disputes, particularly land-related disagreements, should be resolved through lawful and peaceful means, assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and impartially in accordance with the law.
