Peter Dada, Akure
An uncompleted two-storeyed building suspected to be a hideout of kidnappers and ritual killers was on Monday discovered in the Alagbaka area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The building is located a few metres away from the Ondo State House of Assembly complex, behind the popular government-owned event centre, the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade.
It was said to be owned by an unidentified retired civil servant.
The den was discovered by the residents of the area who claimed that some men were always inside the building performing secret activities on a daily basis.
A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the building had been abandoned for a long time and many residents of the area did not know the owner.
He explained that a security operative attached to one of the buildings in the area shot a bird on a tree beside the suspected ritual killers’ den. On hearing the sound of the gun, some men reportedly rushed out from the building and fled.
He said, “The suspects probably thought that the gunshot was from policemen who came for them. They fled, but some motorcycle riders in the area chased and arrested four of them, who were handed over to the police.”
The source added that the policemen saved the suspects from being lynched by the residents of the area.
When our correspondent visited the building, some women underwear, sandals, slippers, cooking utensils, sleeping mattresses, toothpastes and toothbrushes, among other items, were seen.
Also, a long rope was found inside one of the rooms in the building. The rope was tied to the ceiling of the building at one end, while the other end of the rope was knotted.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the development, said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.
He said, “We have arrested a number of suspects and we are currently interrogating them. It is after the interrogation and investigation that we can conclude whether they are suspect1ed ritual killers or not.”
Joseph, who did not specify the number of suspects arrested, stated that they would be charged to court before the end of the week.
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