Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected notorious criminal, Babatunde Babade , who has been terrorising a community in Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero local government area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Abutu, said the suspect, Babade, popularly known as ‘BB,’ has been on the wanted list of the police for sometime over what the police called alleged involvement in the harassment of inocent citizens in the community.
He explained that the arrest of the suspect was made possible following a petition earlier written to the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Ekiti State Police Command, by some concerned residents of the community.
In the petition, they alleged that the suspect and some of his accomplices have been attacking, terrorizing and threatening the lives and property of inocent residents of the area and intimidating the peace loving people of the community.
Some of the names listed in the petition according to the PPRO include; Babtunde Babade (a.k.a BB); Babajide Johnson (a.k.a Atawewe); Arowolo Peter (a.k.a Okiti); Toyin Ogedemgbe, (a.k.a Gbakouloju); Ayo Eda, Apalowo Kuye and Matthew Afelebe.
The PPRO said the petition might have necessitated the arrest of Babtunde Babade, who is the presume leader of the gang, a development which he said excited some members of the community who trooped out to the Command to shower encomiums on the police.
Our correspondent who visited the town observed the people of Iloro-Ekiti were in joyous mood at the weekend over the arrest of the suspected notorious criminal.
Some of the residents who spoke with newsmen said they can now sleep with their two eyes closed, adding that since the arrest of the notorious criminal and some members of his group, peace has gradually returned to the community.
They, however, appealed to the police not to release the suspect despite attempts by some influential persons to get him out at all cost.
According to them, some set of persons were fingered for his release after he was arrested some months ago in Ondo State over alleged possession of Cannabis.
