The Ekiti State Police Command has deployed more operatives in the state capital following Thursday’s gruesome murder of two persons in Ado Ekiti, the state’s capital.

The move according to the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adenitan Akinwale, was to protect lives and property of the people and to arrest criminal elements in the city.

The Command also dispelled the claims in some quarters that a curfew or state of emergency has been declared due to the security situation in the state.

A statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu reported the Commissioner saying, “In view of the recent ugly incidents in Ekiti State, particularly in Ado-Ekiti metropolis where hoodlums suspected to be secret cult members fatally shot at innocent citizens, the Ekiti State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure the arrest of the syndicate perpetrating this dastard act and to forestall further occurrence.”

The statement added that, “The CP has ordered massive deployment of operatives from the Tactical and Intelligence Units across the state, especially in Ado-Ekiti in collaboration with other security agents including the local security outfits to ensure maximum protection of lives and properties of all good citizens and the arrest of all criminal elements.”

He enjoined everyone to remain calm, law abiding and go about their lawful businesses without any form of apprehension.

“Citizens are hereby warned against any act that could further heighten the current situation as those found causing breach of peace will be made to face the wrath of the law,” the statement said.

The Command also implores everyone to be security conscious, vigilant and assist the Police and other security agents with credible and timely information that could aid in apprehending the criminally-minded persons in the society.

The police spokesman added that, “The Ekiti State Police Command has noticed a story circulating on the social media that a state of emergency has been declared in the State due to the recent security situation claiming that all movements have been restricted between 7am and 7pm.

“The Command wishes to state clearly that the information as being circulated is false and definitely coming from fake news peddlers who are always in the business of causing unnecessary apprehension in the society and therefore, everyone is implored to disregard the story,” Abutu said.

He further stated that adequate operatives have been deployed to ensure that there is no further breach of peace while effort to arrest those behind the criminal acts is underway.