By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The Osun State Police Command has warned individuals and groups against embarking on illegal protests or taking the law into their own hands following threats by a group identified as the “Congress of Cultists” to protest the killing of Dauda Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir.
The group, reportedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, had allegedly issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Osun State Government to identify and arrest those responsible for Oyeyemi’s death or face a protest.
The police said it had received intelligence about the planned protest and warned that it would not allow any individual or group to use the development to cause violence or disrupt public peace.
Oyeyemi was reportedly killed recently in Osun State.
Following his death, another man, Adejuwon Adekunle, also known as Asa, was killed at his barbecue spot around Dele Yes Sir in Osogbo after he allegedly recorded a video in which a man identified as Alowonle denied involvement in Oyeyemi’s murder.
The alleged protest, initially scheduled for Monday, was reportedly linked to plans by members of a cult group to attack a rival group in retaliation for Oyeyemi’s death.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, warned individuals and groups against taking the law into their own hands.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Sunday, the command said it would respond decisively to any attempt to disrupt peace in the state.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Osun State Police Command has been drawn to a notice of protest purportedly issued by a faceless group identified through intelligence as the ‘Congress of Cultists,’ allegedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.
“The Command is using this medium to warn any individual or group planning to cause chaos, disturb public peace, or engage in any form of criminality to have a rethink.
“The police and other security agencies will not fold their hands and allow miscreants to use any opportunity to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and destruction of lives and properties.
“Our operatives will respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.”
The command urged individuals or groups with grievances or disputes to seek lawful means of resolving them, warning against violence, self-help or reprisal attacks.
The police also said a discreet investigation into the recent killings had commenced and yielded useful leads.
According to the command, some suspects identified in connection with the incident were still at large, while efforts were ongoing to arrest them.
The statement added: “The Command therefore appeals to members of the public, particularly those who may have useful information regarding the killing incident, to come forward and assist the police with such information, and such information will be treated with the necessary confidentiality.
“The Osun State Police Command will not relent in its efforts until all persons found to be involved in the incident are arrested and brought before the appropriate authorities to face the full wrath of the law.”
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