An uncompleted two - storey
building suspected to be a hideout of kidnappers and ritualists was on
Monday discovered in Alagbaka area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The
building is located a few meters away from the Ondo State House of
Assembly and it is behind the popular government - owned events centre,
the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade, said to be owned by a retired civil servant
in the state.
The abandoned uncompleted building was discovered
by the residents of the area who suspected that some men were always
inside the building performing numerous secret activities on a daily
basis.
A resident of the area, on condition of anonymity , told
our correspondent that the building has been abandoned for a long time
and many residents of the area did not know the owner.
He
explained that a security operative attached to one of the buildings in
the area shot a bird that had perched on a tree beside the suspected
ritualists’ den.
On hearing the gunshot, the suspected hoodlums reportedly rushed out and fled.
Our
source narrated, “The suspects thought the gunshot was from the
policemen who came for them . They quickly rushed out, but some
commercial motorcycle riders in the area helped us to chase and arrest
four of them, whom we later handed over to the police.”
The
source added that it was the timely intervention of policemen that saved
the suspects from being lynched by the angry residents of the area.
When
our correspondent visited the building, items of clothing littered the
place; and they include women's underwear, sandals, slippers, cooking
utensils, mattresses, toothpaste and toothbrushes, among other items.
Also,
a long rope was also found inside one of the rooms. The rope was tied
to the ceiling of the building at one end, while the other end of the
rope was knotted. Some planks were underneath the rope.
The rope is suspected to be used for hanging their victims.
In
his reaction, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi
Joseph, who confirmed the development, said many suspects have been
arrested in connection with the matter.
Joseph said, “ We have arrested quite a number of them and we are currently interrogating them.
It is after the interrogation and investigation that we can conclude whether they are ritualists or not. ”
Joseph, who did not specify the number of suspects arrested, said they would be charged to court before the end of this week.
Kidnappers, Ritualists’ Den Discovered Beside Ondo Assembly
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