Police at the Funbi-Fagun Division, in Ondo city, headquarters of Ondo West local government, on Wednesday intercepted a truck loaded with 150 persons suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
The suspects, who were said to be people from the northern part of the country, were conveyed in a truck marked, KANO NSR 97 XZ.
They were said to be coming from Kebbi State and heading towards Ore town in Odigbo Local Government before they were intercepted by the police at Lipakala junction in Ondou town.
The operation, which was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Funbi Fagun Police station, Mr Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole, also involved men of the Special Ant-robbery Squad from the police headquarters in Akure.
Items said to be recovered from the suspects include 18 locally made gun, 2 jack knives, 22 cultlasses as well as several torch light.
When DAILY POST arrived at the scene of the incident, several residents of the town were seen in large numbers struggling to have glimpse of the items recovered from the suspects.
Similarly, officials from the Department of the State Security Services as well those from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), were sighted trying to maintain law and order.
Reacting to their arrest, one of the occupants of the truck, who gave his name as Abdulahi Sheriff, said they were not members of the dreaded sect, but farmers coming from Benin-Kebbi to seek greener pastures in southern part of NIgeria, especially Ore town, where they intended to engage in agricultural activities.
He further explained that their movement from the North was due to the prolonged dry season in the area, which had affected their activities.
Speaking on the incident, the DPO of Funbi Fagun police station, Mr Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole said the suspects were intercepted during a surveillance operation carried out by the ant-robbery squad attached to the division.
He explained that the suspects would be transfered to Akure the capital of Ondo state for further investigation.
As at the time of filling this report, efforts were being made to move the suspects to the Ondo State police headquarters in Akure.
The police boss told the people of the community to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, assuring the readiness of the police to continue to safeguard lives and property at all times.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Femi Joseph said he had not been officially briefed.
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