22 more suspects nabbed over New Year eve attacks

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 22 more suspected hoodlums in connection with the New Year eve attack on worshippers in Ilorin metropolis, bringing the total number of arrests to 32.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, yesterday, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Lawan Ado, said the attack was not a premeditated religious one as it was speculated in some quarters.

The police commissioner said the command received a distress call at about 1:00am on New Year’s day to the effect that hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, were harassing and intimidating people and commercial motorcycle riders along Ibrahim Taiwo Isale area of Ilorin metropolis.

“This group of unruly youths was said to be throwing fireworks, including knock outs (bangers) of different calibres indiscriminately into premises of both the Catholic and Methodist churches and the United Secondary School, where members of the Quareeb Muslim Group and Christian worshippers were having their crossover programmes, causing a stampede in the premises of the school.

“This commotion gave the hoodlums an opportunity to gain entrance into the church premises, snatching handsets of some of the worshippers. They damaged five vehicles belonging to worshippers and three persons sustained varying degrees of injury.

“On the strength of the report, police men drafted to the scene promptly brought the situation under control while 10 suspects were initially arrested; the injured victims were rushed to hospital where they were treated,” he said.

The commissioner of police also said that investigation into the cause(s) of the incident had commenced, adding that additional 22 suspects had been picked up.