Nineteen suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the killings in Owo town, Ondo State, during clashes between two rival cult groups.
The new Commissioner of Police who officially assumed duty on Tuesday in the state,Mr. Wilfred Afolabi disclosed this at a press briefing.
He said that the crisis was carried out by some unlicenced individuals who were in possession of firearms.
He disclosed that the police is on manhunt for other people suspected to be involved in the killings.
Mr. Afolabi promised that all firearms in possession of unlicenced people would be recovered by the formation.
He said: “Nineteen suspects in our custody. We are following everyone involved in the crime without any compromise.We will make sure justice is dispensed.
“Investigation is ongoing to unveil the cause of the clashes.There’s proliferation of fire arms in Owo. That’s why we are experiencing this. We will work assiduously that these people who are not licenced to possess firearms identified and the firearms are taken away from them so that the people of the state can leave in peace.”
Speaking on his agenda as the Commissioner of the state police Command,the commissioner said: “I am going to give professionalism much attention.There will be emphasis on training and retraining of officers on all subjects relating to police.
“I will make sure I extended to human right, investigation. There is going to be a paradigm shift in policing as we will be engaging the people in finding solution to security challenges were facing.
“Technology needs to be employed to address security challenges we are being confronted with.
“No negotiation with training and retraining. I will be directly involved.
“A personnel who is not trained is a threat to the people he’s protecting. I want our police in Ondo State to be recognized in appearance and turn out as the best.The way you turn out is the way the people will address you.
“The rights of the citizens would not be breached in any way.I have the responsibility that my men are well protected. As a father, the days of molesting and attacking policemen are over.I pride myself in discipline. There will be zero tolerance to indiscipline.”
He promised to work in synergy with other security agencies, including Amotekun Corps, to tackle crimes in the border communities in the state.
He also promised to engage all stakeholders, irrespective of the social status, through Community Safety Partnership,to tackle crimes at the grassroots.
