Three suspects arrested in connection with the killings that attended Saturday’s bye-election in Omuo Ekiti in the Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State will be arraigned today (Monday).
Governor Kayode Fayemi, who made the disclosure on Sunday, said the matter would not be politicised.
The governor, who spoke at Omuo Ekiti when he paid condolence visit to the families of the victims and the Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noel Omonigbehin, gave an assurance that the perpetrators of the violence would be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
Fayemi said, “On Saturday, after I spoke with Senator Biodun Olujimi, I called the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Mobayo, that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that the police arrest all the perpetrators of the incident.
“I am happy that the police have made arrests. Tomorrow (Monday) morning, they will be taken to court and charged with murder.”
Mobayo, who said security agents had arrested three suspects in connection with the election violence, clarified that no police officer died in the incident, adding, “The cop, who sustained gunshot injuries, is responding to treatment in hospital.”
Three persons were allegedly shot dead and others sustained varying degrees of injury in the violence that marred the election, which was to fill the seat made vacant by the demise of an All Progressives Congress House of Assembly member, Juwa Adegbuyi.
Mobayo told journalists on phone in Ado Ekiti, “Three suspected party thugs have been arrested. They were picked up where they were hiding and are now being detained in our headquarters.
“Murder is a capital offence and the police won’t watch and allow anyone take laws into their own hands freely. Nigeria is a nation being guided by laws. As we assured our people on Saturday, everyone who has hands in the killings will be brought to justice.
“I am assuring all that those arrested will be taken to court as soon as we conclude investigation and gather enough evidence.”
The National Public Relations Officer, Omuo Development Union, Wale Fapounda, who noted that the people were awaiting the outcome of police investigation into the incident, said, “Everywhere is calm.
“At every nook and cranny of the town, particularly the area where the incident happened on Saturday, security men are seen for adequate security.”
Meanwhile, Olujimi, who escaped an attack in her polling unit during the incident, paid visits to the families of the bereaved and assured them that “all the perpetrators of the violence will be brought to justice.”
The state Publicity Secretary, Young Progressives Party, Owoola Daramola, accused the APC of perpetrating the election violence to cover up for its failure in government, saying, “They (APC) don’t have any achievement they can use to campaign to the people; they want power by all means”.
However, the APC said, “Irrespective of the party or personality involved, no life should be lost over any election in Ekiti. It is unfortunate that a very peaceful and transparent election could have turned so bloody”.
The APC State Director of Media and Publicity, Sam Oluwalana, in a statement titled, ‘Omuo bye-election: We condemn needless violence, bloodletting – Ekiti APC’, stated, “We call on the security agents to summarily bring the perpetrators of this needless bloodletting to justice.”
A former governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni, expressed sadness over the killing and maiming of innocent voters in the election.
The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain consequently announced the suspension of his political activities for the next seven days “to mourn the victims.”