Residents say Police Arresting Innocent People over Killing Afenifere Leader’s Daughter

Funke Olakunrin

Following the death of Funke Olakunrin, who is the daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Yoruba Group, Afenifere, the residents have raised alarm over the arrest of innocent people by the security agencies.

Funke was killed by suspected armed robbers and kidnappers, according to police, along Ore-Sagamu Expressway in Ore, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo state last Friday.

Punch reports that residents of some communities in the local government area raised the alarm over the arrest of their members by the joint task force of the security agents, including soldiers and policemen from the Inspector-General of Police Special Squad and the state command who were deployed in the forest reserves in the LGA.

According to the people, those arrested were innocent farmers, motorcyclists and artisans who went about their daily duties.

A resident, Ayomide Akinyemi, said that many farmers were in police custody following the arrest by the security men.

“The security men have been arresting our people. Most of the people arrested are innocent. The criminals are hiding in the forest.  The security should go there and arrest them not the innocent farmers that are working in the farm.” He said.

Abayomi Akingbeyin, another resident, not only lamented that the herdsmen have been terrorizing the communities in the area, he also complained that the security operatives deployed in the areas were deviating from their original assignment.

He said, “Since the security men are around here, I think they should go after the criminals, not we villagers, they are tormenting us because they just picked up anybody they see in the street and in the farms. I think the Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs should look into this.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Femi Joseph, confirmed that many people have been arrested, adding that the “those with genuine reason” have been released.

“We are working in that forests, we cannot be disclosing how we are doing it because it is a security matter, it is true that we have arrested many people but those with genuine reason, we have released them.” Femi said.