We will prosecute protesters in Ondo – Police

We will prosecute protesters in Ondo – Police

Ondo state police command said that it has commenced profiling of endbadgovernance protesters who were arrested on Saturday, August 10.

It said the protesters would be arraigned for prosecution.

Among those arrested is the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, Ajayi Wizeman.

The protesters numbering about 10 had gathered at the Akure NEPA Roundabout when the police asked them to move to the designated venue approved for them to protest.

It was while they were going to the Archade venue that they were arrested.

However, spokesman for the Ondo Police Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the insignia on the beret wore by the protesters had a resounding resemblance to that of the Aye Confraternity.

She said the insignia attracted Aye members and rival groups which ‘suggested that certain members of the protesting group were suspectedly into Cultism and Cyber crime activities.’

Omisanya said the protesters were arrested after becoming unruly while being escorted to the designated venue.

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According to her, “The police detachment with other security agencies deployed to the NEPA Roundabout because of the commercial activities of the area approached the group and informed them to proceed to Acrade Arena approved for them. They initially resisted but were persuaded by the Police with the promise to escort them as directed by the Commissioner of Police.

“It is worthy to mention that the group of 10 grudgingly accepted to go however, between NEPA Roundabout and Officers Mess the number swelled to about 50. Physical and intelligence assessment of the increasing crowd suggested the infiltration of malicious elements as efforts by the police team on ground to prevent these intruders resulted into the protesters becoming unruly.

“Passionate plea by the security forces to the protesters to move out of the road and allow free flow of traffic was rebuffed making the situation shy of a peaceful protest as right of other citizens were being infringed upon.

“As a responsible agency charged with maintenance of law and order, and for the safety of the protesters, toxic members of the group were moved to the State Criminal Investigations Department for onward assessment as to  what could have triggered the infiltration of Ill-intended individuals into the protest.

“Investigations later revealed  that the insignia on the beret of the protesters had a resounding resemblance to that of the Aye Confraternity which attracted members and rival groups, on the heels of the above, further investigations suggested that certain members of the protesting group were suspectedly into Cultism and Cyber crime activities.

“The high-profile nature of some of the arrested suspects poses a significant security threat to the state and Nigeria at large. Therefore, the Command  seeks the cooperation and support of residents and indigenes as the state  move towards electioneering campaigns for upcoming gubernatorial elections,

“The arrested persons are being profiled in line with emerging facts and will soon be arraigned on conclusion of investigation.”

We will prosecute protesters in Ondo – Police