The violence in Ekiti State forced the Military High Command to deploy soldiers in the state on Saturday. Our correspondent saw the soldiers moving around the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, to forestall breakdown of law and order.
In a terse response to our correspondent, the spokesperson of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Capt. Ademola Adegoke, said the troops were deployed because of the violence that erupted in the state “so as to secure lives and properties.”
Meanwhile, there were gunshots in the Okeyimi area of the state capital around 12 noon on Saturday.
While motorists made a quick detour, commuters scampered to safety.
A passenger, who identified herself as Mrs. Adewale, said the vehicle conveying her and others quickly turned and took her back to where she was picked.
No one could confirm who was responsible for the gunshots.
Meanwhile, relatives of those arrested on Friday in the raid by the Police besieged the Police Headquarters, Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, seeking the release of their loved ones.
We gathered that the state commissioner of police directed the area commander to screen those arrested for possible release or prosecution.
A security source said, “The police command has received directives to screen those arrested when the violence broke out on Friday. This is to ascertain their culpability or otherwise in the violence.
“Anyone with a proper identification and genuine reasons would be allowed to go home, while those who cannot explain where they were going or the mission at the spot of arrest will be detained for prosecution.”