The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 19 persons over the murder of a former Ekiti State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye.
The PUNCH gathered that the 19 persons, including one female, were arrested in a string operation carried out over the weekend.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, who confirmed the arrest to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, did not reveal the identity of those arrested.
He said they remained innocent until investigation proved otherwise.
Babayemi said, “The 19 are being questioned in respect of the killing. This is to determine their level of culpability, it is not that they have been indicted.
“They are helping us in the investigation.”
Aderiye, a staunch supporter of the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, was killed on Thursday in Ijigbo area of the State capital, Ado-Ekiti.
His death sparked violence across the state on Friday leading to the burning of the house and cars of a former state Chairman of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, Rotimi Olabiwoninu.
On Sunday, there was a threat of reprisal attack by RTEAN members in the state.
Meanwhile, the police on Monday held a peace-deal meeting with leading traditional rulers in Ekiti State.
It also held a separate meeting with leaders of the RTEAN, NURTW, market men and women, religious leaders, okada riders and other interest groups.
Babayemi, who confirmed the meetings said the essence was to find a lasting solution to the recurring violence.
The Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, appealed to the traditional rulers led by their chairman-the Onitaji of Itaji, Obama Adamo Babalola-to appeal to their subjects to give peace a chance.
He reminded the traditional rulers council that Ekiti remains greater than anybody.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 8, Christopher Dega, assured that the police would be unbiased to all parties.
He expressed concerns over the recurring violence, which, according to him was destroying the image of the state.
A source at the meeting said the traditional rulers all agreed to work with the police to achieve peace in the state.
The council also asked that the mandate of the people should be respected and not be subverted by manipulation.
It also appealed to aggrieved parties in court to follow the natural cause of justice without any rancor.
They asked that parties at the tribunal should conduct themselves in a manner that will not create an impression that they want to subvert the will of the people by manipulating the judiciary and cause crisis in the state.
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Ex-NURTW, Omolafe Aderiye assassination: Police arrest 19 suspects
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