Babatope Okeowo 
Police have said they arrested some protesters in Akure on Saturday to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
The candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State Kunle Ajayi was one of the protesters arrested.
Police spokeswoman Funmilayo OdunlamiOmisanya said those arrested were wearing the insignia of Aye confraternity which could have triggered clashes with rival cult groups.
She said they permitted the protest to be held at a designated centre, but the protesters marched through the major road. Odunlami-Omisanya said:
“The Commissioner of Police promptly approved Arcade Arena for the gathering and equally directed that the approval information should be communicated to the applicant through a designated phone number on the letter.
The police added: “Physical and intelligence assessment of the increasing crowd suggested the infiltration of malicious elements as efforts by the police team on the ground to prevent these intruders resulted in the protesters becoming unruly.
“A passionate plea by security forces to the protesters to move out of the road and allow free flow of traffic was rebuffed, making the situation shy of a peaceful protest as the rights of other citizens were being infringed upon.”
