Following the protest generated by the assassination of the former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Mr. Omolafe Aderiye, last Thursday, security operatives had taken steps to restore peace and prevent the movement of arms into the state by hoodlums. The police had also launched operation stop-and-search on vehicles entering the State from neighbouring towns and states.
Sequel to Aderiye’s death, the house and vehicles belonging to his rival and former chairman, RTEAN in the state, Mr. Rotimi Olabiwonnu, were burnt during the protest that engulfed Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
There was confusion at Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti metropolis yesterday because suspected members of the RTEAN loyal to Olabiwonnu had taken over the entire area in protest at about 9am with alleged intention to retaliate the attack on their leader.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 10 pick-up vans carrying anti-riot policemen and soldiers, were seen moving towards the area to quell the crisis, an operation, which a police source said was successful and timely.
The retaliation attempt, which spread across the state capital, forced the inhabitants of the area to stay indoors, while those who were on their way to their churches made a detour and hurriedly returned home.
Commercial motorcyclists and drivers avoided the area till about 12.30pm, when it was evidently clear that the police had finally put the crisis under control.
Checks revealed that the palpable tension might have also forced some Christians to stay away from churches yesterday, as some of the churches in the state recorded low turn-out of the faithful, despite heavy presence of anti-riot policemen in strategic places like Ijigbo, Old Garage, Fajuyi Park and Ojumose junctions.
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Ekiti mayhem: Soldiers, police foil reprisal attack |
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