Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, broke his silence on the escape of Sunday Shodipe, a suspected serial killer, who was arrested in connection with killings in Akinyele Local Government Area.
It would be recalled that Shodipe was arrested and paraded in connection with killings of Barakat Bello, Azeezat Shomuyiwa, and a five-year old boy identified as Mujeeb along with two others on July 17.
However, the police on Sunday said the suspect has escaped from custody. In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, Oyo State command, the suspect escaped after he had been charged to court.
Makinde, yesterday, gave marching orders to security operatives to ensure the re-arrest of the suspect.
Makinde, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni at a Town Hall meeting held at Akinyele LGA, said re-arrest of the alleged mastermind of about six ritual killings in Ibadan, must be made a top priority for security operatives.
He reiterated that his administration places a premium on security of life and property in the state, urging the residents of the area to remain calm and not take laws into their hands.
“We are here today and Governor Makinde has directed that we should let the people know that he shares their pain; and as people of Oyo, we share in the pain; what has happened is condemnable and unacceptable in all materials particular.”
The Commissioner of Police, Joe Enwonwu, has vowed to arrest all those involved in the escape of Shodipo from police custody with stern directives to his men to be at alert with a view to dealing decisively with criminal elements in the state.
According to him, an Inspector of Police who was not on duty collected the keys to the cell and opened the cell to take the suspect to have his bath and from there, the suspect ran away. Efforts had since commenced to re-arrest him by all stakeholders, police personnel, community leaders, youth vigilantes and hunters.
He also stated that the Inspector of police concerned has been defaulted, detained and presently facing orderly room trial, which would be concluded by the end of today. “ In addition, whoever must have been involved in this sordid misconduct would not be spared.
“The measures we have taken to deal with criminals in the state has been to strategize crime control mechanisms of proactive policing which emphasizes community policing partnership with all the stakeholders, other security agencies, military, vigilante, hunters, traditional rulers, etc. We collaborate, cooperate and it has been working positively. We also do visibility policing and patrols, raids of criminal hideouts on regular basis. It paid off in Okeho Bank robbery where we recovered five assault rifles and arrested five suspects so far. We have arrested several of them including car snatchers, armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminal elements.”
CP Nwachukwu advised the people of Oyo State is to be law abiding, go about their lawful activities and provide the police with useful information and tips. “ They also need to be extra vigilant, at alert and sensitive to the environment at all times. We are equal to the task and our response time to distress calls is very fast with new vehicles provided by the governor, Sheyi Makinde,” he assured.
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