Agbarere/Idi-Ape Clash: How Kwara Police arrested alleged mastermind, Ariyo.

More facts yesterday emerged on how operatives of Kwara Police Command arrested the alleged mastermind of Agbarere/Idi-Ape Clash in Ilorin West Local Government, Olatunji Ibrahim popularly known as Ariyo. Ariyo was arrested on Monday by policemen from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on Monday.

The suspect had been on the wanted list of the police following a violent clash by hoodlums in Idi-Ape and Agbarere communities in Ilorin late last year, which resulted in loss of lives and property worth millions of Naira. The police had made some arrests in connection with the incident, but the suspect who allegedly masterminded the violence was declared to be at large. But, luck ran out on him Monday when policemen on a tip off swooped on his residence and effected his arrest alongside one of his gang members, Olateju Lukman aka Sandal.

A police source divulged to National Pilot that the suspect was arrested at his residence in Elekoyangan area of Oke-oyi, Ilorin, after he had been on the run since last year. "Ariyo and a member of his gang were arrested at about 11 am at his rented apartment in Elekoyangan , Oke -Oyi in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state where he lives among students in the area.

"A team of CID police invaded the area and got two of them arrested while one escaped," the source disclosed. This medium learnt that the suspects were whisked away to the state police command.

The source further disclosed that the police have re-opened investigation into recent breakdown of law and order in the state, which allegedly involved Ariyo. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relation Officer of the state command, ASP Okasanmi Ajayi, told our reporter yesterday that the suspect was undergoing interrogation at the SCID.

"He was among the suspects placed on the police wanted list in February this year, " he added. When National Pilot visited the suspect's family house at Idi-Ape yesterday (Wednesday) some residents told

our reporter that Ariyo has been declared persona non-grata in the community.

A family source who does not want his name in print for security reasons, said shortly after the Idi-Ape/ Agbarere clash, the suspect relocated to Osogbo in Osun State and later moved to Ghana in a bid to evade police arrest. The source further said, Ariyo's re-appearance about three weeks had sent shivers down spines of residents of the community, who had enjoyed respite while he was away.

"When he came back three weeks ago, he came to his family house to announce his arrival. Ariyo said he was tired of hiding and so have decided to come back to his father's town. He made calls to some prominent people in the state informing them of his arrival.

"Residents can now heave sigh of relief following his arrest. His notoriety in this area has caused most household much pain, sorrow and despair." Some of the traders who spoke to this medium on condition of anonymity said Ariyo was a menace in the community.