Tunde Akanbi,Ilorin
Fifty Four suspects have been arrested in Ilorin and its environs in KWARA state for alleged disorderly conduct during the just concluded local government election held in the state.
Those arrested included four females who are now in police custody at the police headquarters.
Parading the suspects before newsmen today at the police headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawan Ado disclosed that the suspects were arrested by security operatives attached to the state independent Electoral Commission, (KWASIEC) headquarters along Fate road ,Ilorin for conducting themselves in various forms of disorderly manners.
According to him , others were napped around Adeta area, Ilorin, Laolu unit, Alapa and Morakinde’s Compound in Oyun local government for election offenses which included snatching and destruction of election materials during the election.
The police Commissioner added that two other suspects, Adeyemi Abolanle , a collation officer and Olajide Samuel were arrested by security operatives attached to Unit 01 Saint William Primary School, Okaka ward Two , Taiwo Road, Ilorin for allegedly destroying ballot papers by burning same.
Mr Lawan Ado said all the suspects would soon be charged to court .
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command has described last Saturday’s local government elections held in the sixteen local government areas of the state as very successful, peaceful, free and fair.
According to him , though there were some skirmishes, but generally, it was a peaceful election.
He, however, said there were some arrest made which according to him was normal in such contest, but added that the good news is that the election took place and the results have been announced .
Mr Ado warned that peace and tranquility must be maintained at all cost in the system and that everybody must abide by the laid down rules and regulations and within the ambit of the law as anyone that violates the law would be death with accordingly.
The police boss said the command would not tolerate any form of illegal protest from anybody or group of people stressing that anyone that has any complaint about the conduct of the election or any other issue should go to the court of law and seek must be maintained and also warned that anybody found wanting would gave himself or herself to be blamed.
Answering another question, the police boss described as untrue claims in some quarters that the police was bias and was in support of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) stating that the police is a neutral arbiter and not in no way in support of any political party but rather to protect lives and property.
Speaking on the incident at Lafiagi, in Edu local Government, Mr Ado confirmed that an incident which involved ta one tine Governor of the state and now serving Senator representing KWARA North Senatorial District, Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi happened but the police was not involved in the mayhem where stray bullets hit and killed two people.
According to him , his officers have gotten the list of some suspects which the police are now trailing and would soon be arrested and brought to book to serve as deterrent to others with such motive.
The police boss disclosed that their investigation would reveal how the army were drafted to the seen of the incident where the incident happened.
