By Steve Oni, Ilorin.

The Kwara state police command has paraded six suspected persons who allegedly  killed a local rice merchant in Yashikira, Baruten local government area of the State.

The state commissioner of police, Olusola Amore, who addressed journalists at the police headquarters during the launching of the Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit of the state’s  command , said the suspects would be charged to court for culpable homicide.

Amore said the deceased,a mother of four, had engaged her suspected assailants who were rice harvesters and labourers on her farm.

The Commissioner said that Mrs Ede alongside the six labourers, identified as Kofi Kawku,Ali Sabi, Ali Dauda, Gomina Umaru, Abubakar Basira and Ayuba Adamu, had harvested‎ eleven bags of rice, an exercise that lasted till the night time.

Mrs Ede, according to the police boss, told the harvesters that they could go, having paid them their dues. Because she was very tired, she slept on the farm hoping to leave the following morning with the bags of rice. 

Amore said unknown to the woman ,the six men went behind and conspired among themselves, came back in the midnight and hacked the woman to death and took away her bags of rice.  

He said: "The deceased, Florence Ede, female, also known as 'Do Good', had engaged the suspects as labourers to work in her farm. They conspired and killed her in her farm at Yashikira in Baruten local government area of the state and stole 11 bags of rice belonging to the victim.

"Investigation led to the arrest of the six suspects who on interrogation confessed to the act.

‘‘The exhibits including the Golf car used in carrying the rice and stick used in killing the deceased were recovered. Suspects will soon appear in court."

The police commissioner also paraded three suspected secret cult members, who were allegedly involved in recent cult killings in Ilorin metropolis, adding that the suspects  confessed to being members of Eiye and Aiye confraternity.

Three live cartridges and charms were allegedly recovered from them.

 Amore, who described cult activities in Ilorin metropolis as  a worrisome development, said artisans like bricklayers, electricians, okada and tricycle operators were involved in cultism in the area.

"We used to think that students in higher institutions are those in cults, but it's embarrassing and worrisome that artisans are mostly in the act, thus putting lives of members of the public in danger. So, useful information is needed from people to arrest the situation", he said.