Six out of the seven protesters, arrested, during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Akure, Ondo State, last week, have been released by the police.

Amongst those released was the Governorship Candidate of the African Action Congress, ACC, Kunle Ajayi.

Their released was ordered by the state police commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo.

Confirming their release, one of the protesters, an activist and lawyer,
Tope Temokun, said that they were released on Sunday at about 8: 35pm.

Temokun said that ” As a result of pressure from the relentless forces of the struggle, the Commissioner of Police of Ondo had to resume to office on Sunday, the Sabbath day, to see to the release of our detained comrades.

“ Six out of the seven arrested protesters in Akure were released by the Commissioner of Police, while still holding on to Patrick Owolabi, the TIB coordinator Ondo on a flimsy ground.

“Justice is no justice if it’s cut into half. By tomorrow we must intensify our campaign to free Owolabi.”

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Recall that the state police command had on Saturday said that the protesters were arrested to prevent the breakdown of law and order by suspected cultists who have infiltrated the genuine ones.
The command added that the move was to ransom situation and not politically motivated

In a statement issued in Akure, the state capital, the police said that ” those arrested were wearing the insignia of Aye confraternity which may attract conflict with rival cult groups.

Its spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said that the Command had initially granted permission for the protest to be held at a designated center, but the protesters violated the permit and staged a protest along the major road, which may disrupt the social and commercial activities of the people

Odunlami added that ” Investigations later revealed that the insignia on the beret of the Protesters had a resounding resemblance to that of the Aye Confraternity which attracted members and rival groups, on the heels of the above, further investigations suggested that certain members of the protesting group were suspected to be into Cultism and Cyber crime activities.

“The Command wishes to categorically emphasize that contrary to the misguided narrative, purported by some agents of mischief to discredit and give political coloration to the effort of the Command in ensuring the safety and security of lives and property of residents, it’s disposition was without any Political prompting and to stress that the arrest were made based on security assessment of the situation and the obvious emergence of violence.

“In furtherance, the high-profile nature of some of the arrested suspects poses a significant security threat to the state and Nigeria at large.

“Therefore, the Command seeks the cooperation and support of residents and indigenes as the state move towards electioneering campaigns for upcoming gubernatorial elections

“While reaffirming The Command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, maintaining professionalism, and respecting human rights in the discharge of our statutory duties.

“We also urge the good people of the state to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly.

“The arrested persons are being profiled in line with emerging facts and will soon be arraigned on conclusion of investigation.