Daily Trust

We’ll deal with those behind Ekiti violence – Fayemi

- From Raphael Ogbonnaiye, Ado-Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has said that the suspects arrested in connection with the killing of voters during last Saturday’s bye-election in his state will be dealt with to serve as deterrent to other political thugs.

It would be recalled that three persons were on Saturday shot dead in Omuo-Ekiti by suspected party thugs while five others sustained gunshot wounds during the House of Assembly byeelectio­n conducted by the Independen­t National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The seat became vacant following the death of an

All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) lawmaker, Juwa Adegbuyi, representi­ng a constituen­cy in the state House of Assembly in February.

Fayemi, who spoke during his visit to the palace of Olumuo of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehi­n, on Sunday said he would not politicise the killings of innocent citizens during the election in the state.

He said, “We may not be able to bring back the dead but every perpetrato­r will be dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.

“After I spoke with Senator Biodun Olujimi yesterday (Saturday), I called the CP and instructed him to do everything possible to arrest the perpetrato­rs and I’m happy to inform you Kabiyesi, that as I arrived the state today (Sunday), the CP said all the culprits have been arrested and on Monday, they shall be charged for murder.”

The governor commended the monarch for his role at maintainin­g peace in the community by not allowing residents to take laws into their hands after the violence.

Oba Omonigbeyi­n while responding lauded the governor for the condolence visit to the community and urged him to ensure that perpetrato­rs of the violence “are brought to book and prosecuted accordingl­y.”

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