A total of 19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the violent cult clash that occurred in Owo, Ondo State, on Monday, which left four people dead. Mr Wilfred Afolabi, the newly-appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) for Ondo State, made the announcement on Tuesday in Akure, during his resumption as the 45th CP of the state.
The cult clash, which occurred in Owo Local Government Area, led to the imposition of a dawn-to-dusk curfew by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to control the unrest and maintain security in the area. The curfew is still in place as authorities monitor the situation.
Speaking to the press, CP Afolabi assured the public that normalcy has been restored in the town, with peace gradually returning. “We are in Owo this morning to monitor the level of compliance with the curfew. So far, so good, normalcy has returned, and there is calm across the town,” he said.
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Afolabi confirmed that four individuals were confirmed dead in the clash, and investigations into the cause of the violent confrontation are ongoing. He also made it clear that those responsible for the violence would face the full wrath of the law.
“The 19 suspects in custody will be made to face the full wrath of the law. We will continue to protect the lives and property of the people of Ondo State, especially in Owo,” he added. “For peace-loving individuals, we can assure them that we will provide a conducive environment. However, those who seek to disturb the peace will not escape justice. Wherever they go, we will follow them, and the law will catch up with them.”
The investigation is expected to shed more light on the root cause of the clash, and authorities are committed to bringing all perpetrators to justice.
