ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government revealed on Saturday it has arrested 140 individuals for their suspected roles in armed rebellions.

The individuals are accused of participation in armed rebellions in parts of Ethiopia's Oromia regional state, located in the central part of the country.

Abebe Legesse, Crime Investigation and Justice Department Chief of Oromia Police Commission, said the individuals are accused of involvement in armed rebellions that had left scores of people dead, reported state media outlet Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC).

Legesse said the individuals are also accused of conducting a spree of bank robberies and arson attacks on public properties.

He further called on the public to assist law enforcement agencies in their efforts to ensure rule of law prevails in all parts of Oromia regional state.

Earlier this week, the Oromia regional state government said gunmen have robbed 18 private and state owned banks across various parts of the region.

The statement did not specifically mention possible suspects behind the armed robberies.

However, the affected bank branches operate in parts of Oromia regional state that they have been insecure for months due to a low level conflicts between the Ethiopian government and the rebel group Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).

OLF is an armed group claiming to fight for the rights of ethnic Oromos who make up about 35 percent of Ethiopia's estimated 105 million population.

It is estimated there are around 2,800 OLF fighters based mainly in the western and southern parts of Oromia regional state, the principal operating ground of OLF. Enditem

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