SSS Decries Attempt “To Trivialize and Politicize Murder of Oyerinde”

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The State Security Service ,SSS has debunked reports that its officials   recycled suspects accused of killing Olaitan Oyerinde, principal private secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state. The SSS at a briefing today described  as false insinuations that two sets of suspects  it paraded at different times  were the same.

SSS Spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar in a statement today noted that “particularly,certain interests have exploited both social and print media to peddle false insinuations that some of the suspects paraded on 1st  August ,2012 in connection with Comrade Oyerinde’s killing had been earlier paraded by this service on 14th  March 2012 as they appear to have been dressed alike”

Clarifying what happened, she said, “the suspects paraded on 14th  March 2012 were three(3)young men between the ages of 19 and 20 years who were discovered to have conducted surveillance on two (2)expatriate staff of Stabilini Visinoni Construction Company,namely Christopher McManus and Franco Lamolinara before their abduction.They are:(1)Bashir Ibrahim (aka Adda’u);(ii)Ibrahim A.H abibu;and (iii)Gambo Maiborodi”.Ogar added that “similarly,those paraded on 1st August 2012 in connection with Comrade Oyerinde’skilling were :(1) Mohammed Ibrahim  Abdullahi;(ii)RaymondOnajite Origbo;(iii) Chikezie Edeh;(iv)Saidu Yakubu (a.k.a Imam);(v) Sani Abdullahi Abubakar;and (vi)Hassan Bashiru”.

The agency said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, both groups have no links at  all.”For the avoidance of doubt, both groups have NO link whatsoever as they were  apprehended for different offences, at separate locations at different times.Also, the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap of the expatriates were between the ages of 19 and 20 years while those apprehended over Comrade Oyerinde’s killing are between the ages of26 and 46 years” Ogar said.

SSS added “emphatically that at no time has it recycled suspects ,even though some of the suspects were paraded in the same clothes,THEY ARE IN NO WAY THE SAME and any attempt to link both groups together is diversionary and intended to trivialize and politicize the murder of Oyerinde, thereby aggravating the pains and agony of his family and friends”

The spokesperson also highlighted the step the service  has always   taken  to make the parade of suspects  transparent.”It is also noteworthy that this service always affords members of the press the freedom to interact with suspects being paraded.This is with a view to ensuring that the facts are not tainted or simulated whatsoever”.She urged “members of the public to be wary of deliberate machinations of mischievous elements who delight in spreading falsehood.”

Ogar reiterated “that  security agencies remain  committed to the maintenance of peace and safety of all Nigerians irrespective of religion,ethnic,social or political leanings.”She ended her written address on a prayerful note saying, “May the soul of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde rest in peace”.

But the murder  case remains mired in controversy as the police appear to have a different set of suspects being held also in connection with Oyerinde’s killing.One of those being held by the Police is Rev.David Ugolor, one of Oyerinde’s bosom friends,who was kept  in detention despite a court ruling ordering the police to release him on bail.

 

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