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Tag: Cultist

  • Lagos Police arrest 86 cultists, recover 11 pistols

    Lagos Police arrest 86 cultists, recover 11 pistols

    Officials of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 86 suspected cultists in Ikorodu area of the State and recovered 11 pistols from them.

    They were arrested on Saturday around 6:00am by the Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants, acting on credible intelligence.

    The Strike Force first arrested 21 cult suspects at Adamo Community, Imota.

    Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday said the suspects who belonged to two rival cult groups, Aiye and Eiye confraternity, mobilised from Emure and Adamo communities to unleash terror on residents of Adamo community and environs.

    “The arrest was carried out in a joined operations with operatives from Imota Police Station, Rapid Response Squad, Special Anti Robbery Squad and Area N Command. This is a follow up to the operations carried out at Ijede where 65 cult suspects were arrested.

    Some of the suspected cultists

    “Eleven assorted pistols of different calibre with large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the suspects. The suspects confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murder and armed robbery incidents recorded in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    “The suspects will be charged to Court. The Commissioner of Police further reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to address the menace of cultism and youth gangsterism in Lagos State,” he said.

  • Cultists on rampage in Ikorodu; kill couple, mentally challenged woman

    Cultists on rampage in Ikorodu; kill couple, mentally challenged woman

    A couple and a mentally unstable woman were at the wee hours of Friday murdered by suspected members of the Black Axe cult group at Ikorodu, a Lagos district.

    The killings occurred around 3:42am at Itupate after armed men said to be over 80, stormed the area in search of members of Eiye cult group.

    It was gathered that the armed men had invaded the area to avenge the attack meted one of their members identified as Lanre three days ago.

    According to reports, the said Lanre had escaped being lynched by members of Eiye over feelings he was using his position to shield Aiye members in Ikorodu.

    Cult-related violence had continued in that district overtime with allegations that no fewer than 10 persons have been murdered in the past three weeks.

    A resident who who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were woken up by screams from the hoodlums who were chanting war songs.

    “They went straight to Lati’s house. His younger and the wife live there. It seems they came for his younger brother who is alleged to be an Eiye member. They killed him.

    “Then, his wife recognised one of the killers as Lanre’s boy and when they saw she has identified them, they killed her too.

    “As they were leaving, a mad woman was pouring water on them and they shot her dead. These killings have become worrisome in Ikorodu. The police in Ikorodu need to sit up.

    “The police in Ikorodu did not show up in all of these. I am telling you that they only came out with Onyeabor after the cultists and miscreants have retreated. We cannot continue to live in fear as a result of the activities of criminals. Let the police go after the criminals and their sponsors.

    “Who is buying arms and ammunition for these cultists? Who is using them? Will the police say they do not know them? Can’t the police arrest Lanre?

    “There are complains that the palace was behind these Lanre boys and that is why there are going about committing atrocities. If not for Rapid Response Squad (RRS) men who stopped the rival cult group, they would have burnt down the palace,” he said.

    Eyewitnesses further explained that the RRS were dislodging those who advanced towards the palace in protest, miscreants were said to have taken advantage of the melee to vandalize people’s shops, carting away television sets, fans and other valuables.

    When contacted, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the violence occurred around 10pm on Thursday, adding that two cultists died and six injured.

    He said Friday’s melee was as a result of the police’ clampdown on the hoodlums which led to the arrest of 21 suspects including an alleged notorious kingpin.

    He said the police received a distress call that some cult members from two rival groups engaged themselves in supremacy battle along Isikalu palace and Solomade area of Ikorodu.

    “The command’s anti-cultism unit and patrol teams from Ikorodu were promptly drafted to the scene. The leader of the gang, who has been on the wanted list of the command, Yusuf Omidele popularly known as General was arrested and twenty other cultists.

    “General was charged to court on several occasions and sentenced to prison. He completed his last sentence in 2014 and has become an Elder-in- Council in Eiye Confraternity. He led his gang in a reprisal attack on the members of Aiye, whom they alleged to have killed the wife of one of their leaders some weeks ago.

    “The suspects arrested belong to both Aye and Eiye confraternity and have all confessed to belonging to secret societies. Two cultists died from the cult clash and six others were injured.

    “The massive onslaught launched by the command on cultists and gangsters is a continuous operation with a view to arrest other fleeing members of the gangs. Four locally made pistols, eight matchets and three daggers were recovered. Suspects will be charged to court.

    “To proffer lasting solution to youth gangsterism, involvement of teenagers and underage persons in cult activities, especially at Ikorodu, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Zubairu Muazu on Friday met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, elder statesmen, parents, youths and other stakeholders at Ikorodu. All the stakeholders agreed to join the police in the fight against the menace of cultism and gangsterism,” he said.

  • Cultists clash: 4 killed, 2 arrested in Lagos

    Four suspected cultists were killed during a clash between two rival cult groups of Aiye and Eiye in Ajah area of Lagos State on Sunday.

    A very reliable source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that two suspects were arrested by operatives from police Area “J” Command, Ajah over the killings.

    Sources told NAN that the cult groups had been at logger heads over supremacy in the Sangotedo area of Ajah in recent times.

    NAN learnt that the suspected cultists used machetes and other dangerous weapons in the fight and inflicted fatal wounds on themselves.

    “The police recovered four dead bodies and deposited them at the public mortuary. Three cutlesses were also recovered from the suspects.

    “Security has been beefed-up in the area with more patrol policemen deployed. The area is calm now,” the source told NAN.

    NAN further learnt that policemen were also combing the bushes on the road between Ogonbo community and Abraham Adesanya Estate in Ajah area for more victims.

    The spokesman for the police in Lagos, DSP Bala Elkana, did not respond to calls and messages sent to him for the command’s reaction to the killings as at press time.

  • Police arrest suspects over death of 3 in Rivers cult clash

    The Police Command in Rivers on Monday said some suspected cultists had been arrested in connection with the death of three persons in Mgbodohia, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s spokesman, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP), confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

    Omoni, however, could not give a specific figure of the arrested suspects.

    He said that the three persons were killed on Saturday during a fight for supremacy between two rival cult groups – Iceland and Deybam in the community.

    The police spokesman said that preliminary investigation into the clash had shown that the fight resulted from disagreement over who should collect a certain illegal levy in the community.

    NAN reports that the illegal fee collected from those buying land in the community is known as “bush entering or marching ground” in the state.

    It will be recalled that Gov. Rotimi Ameachi’s administration abolished the levy, making it illegal and punishable on conviction.

    According to Omoni, the investigation showed that the two cult groups had the history of clashing over who should collect the illegal levy.

    He however said normalcy had returned to the community due to the deployment of police personnel to the area.

    The command’s spokesman urged the residents who had fled the community due to the crisis to return home.

    “I appeal to the residents of the state to furnished police with meaningful information on the activities of the hoodlums in their areas,’’ he said.

  • Slain policeman in Edo was a cultist — CP

    The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Hakeem Odumosun, has said that the policeman killed by unknown gunmen in Benin on Saturday night was a member of a secret cult.

    The CP told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that two other persons were killed in the shoot out that claimed the life of the officer.

    NAN had reported that a police officer, identified as Oisa Ehigie, was shot dead along Normayo/Sakponba road of Benin City.

    It was also reported that the killing may not be unconnected with activities of secret cults that had claimed several lives in the city recently.

    The commissioner said the slain officer was killed alongside two members of his cult group.

    According to him, the slain policeman died while fighting on the side of his cult group against rival cult group.

    “Three people were killed in the fight, the police officer and two others.

    “I have gone to see his family. It is a cult killing and the officer is a cultist,” the CP said.

    The commissioner, who said arrests have been made in relation to the killings, also said some guns had been recovered.

    Odumosun said that there is no hiding place for cultists in Edo.

    NAN

  • Police arrest 21 suspected political thugs over death of two cultists

    Police arrest 21 suspected political thugs over death of two cultists

    Lagos State Police Command said it arrested 21 suspected political thugs following the death of two suspected cultists at a political rally in Obanikoro area of the state.
    The command spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Lagos State.
    Oti said the two suspected cultists were on the police wanted list for their roles in various cult clashes in the state.
    “Yesterday, October 17 at 5:15pm, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Pedro Police Station, received a call that two persons, later identified as Ibrahim a.k.a Small Japron and one Solo were killed at a political gathering.’’
    He said the gathering was “organised by Ademorin Kuye, at a place called Home Touch, situated at No. 228, Ikorodu Road by Obanikoro Way.
    “The deceased persons, who had been involved in several cult clashes, were on the wanted list of the police for leading several cult fights in the Shomolu, Bariga, Fadeyi and Ojuelegba areas of the state.
    “They were trailed to the gathering by a rival cult group, who invaded the arena and began to attack people.
    “The fight was however brought to an end by the police who arrived quickly at the scene and made some arrests.
    “Unfortunately, the notorious cultists, Ibrahim (a.k.a Japron) and Solo, died as a result of injuries sustained during the fight.
    “Recall that the command had on Septemeber 10, issued a press statement warning politicians not to gather in public places without notifying it to enable adequate provision of security and prevent hoodlums from hijacking such events.
    “Regrettably, the host of the political meeting, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, did not inform the police of his intention to host his supporters.
    “Meanwhile, 21 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the case and are currently been questioned by homicide detectives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department Panti, Yaba.’’
    Oti added that the command has also invited Kuye for questioning.
    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal, has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said, adding that the perpetrators would be prosecuted.
    NAN

  • Police arrest suspected cultist in Benin

    Police arrest suspected cultist in Benin

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of zone 5, Benin, Mr Rasheed Olatunde, on Tuesday said the police arrested a suspected cultist, Wilson Iriajen in Benin, Edo.

    Olatunde, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Benin, said the arrest was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to mop up illegal arms in the country.

    He said acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the zone arrested the suspect on July 24 in Benin.

    Olatunde said the suspect during interrogation, confessed being a member of the Eiye confraternity.

    He claimed to have joined the cult in 1992 when he was a student at the Ambrose Ali University, Epkoma, Edo, but said he had renounced his membership.

    “I inherited the barrel from my father and it’s for my personal protection, because the country is rough.

    “I am not a thief; I do business of selling and buying of guns for seven years. I am not married, but I have a son,’ he said.

    The Public Relations Officer of the zone, Emeka Ihenacho, said items recovered from the suspect included: one double barrel gun No. MBDT 5870 and English Pump action guns No. T587013-0216 and No. P630882.

    Others are; Apple laptop, three International passports and wrapped substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

    Ihenacho said the police was doing its best to clean up Benin City and also fish out bad eggs.

    The spokesman said investigation into the matter was ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was concluded.

    He reminded members of the public that security was a collective responsibility of all citizens and enjoined them to continue to support the police.

    “Through the provision of useful information, we can help in the detection and arrest of criminals,” he said.

     

  • Police arrest 137 suspected cult members in Lagos

    Police arrest 137 suspected cult members in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police Command, on Monday, said it had arrested 137 persons suspected to be cult members during initiation and marking of their annual ritual day.

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Imohimi Edgal, said the suspects were arrested while celebrating 7/7 under the guise that they were having a birthday party, at different locations in Ikorodu and Ogombo areas, suburbs of Lagos.

    He paraded the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

    “This command had on July 5, 2018 warned cultists preparing to observe their sacred day called the “7th day of the 7 month”, not to converge on any part of the state.

    “We also encouraged good Nigerians to give information about this group of persons anywhere they are seen.

    “Based on credible intelligence available to the command and which was communicated to the Officer In-Charge, Anti Cultism, 120 suspects were arrested at Ikorodu where they were observing 7/7,’’ the CP said.

    He said that the suspects were undergoing initiation rites preparatory to unleashing mayhem on the larger society.

    According to him, 17 suspected cult members were also arrested at Ogombo, Aja area of the state during initiation rites and celebration of the 7/7 date.

    “I have ordered that they should be profiled, after which their parents and guardians will be invited for questioning.

    “We are also using this opportunity to warn parents, guardians and those that have some form of mentorship to dissuade these youths from cultism.

    “We want to put them on notice that it is their responsibility to know who their children associate with and that this particular police administration will not tolerate any form of cultism,” he said.

    The police boss said that one big banner with 07 and black axe logo, a yellow keg containing three litres of liquid substance and six other small kegs with similar contents suspected to be mixture of different dangerous drugs were recovered from them.

    “Other exhibits are one big clay pot, one small calabash and one locally-made cut to size pistol.

    “They are going to be divided into smaller groups where files will be opened for them and they will be charged to court after profiling,” he said.

    NAN

  • Police catch suspected cultist with ‘bottle of human blood’

    Police catch suspected cultist with ‘bottle of human blood’

    A man, Emeka ThankGod, was on Thursday brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly belonging to an unlawful society — Alora confratenity.

    The prosecution also told the court that ThankGod was caught with a bottle of blood suspected to be that of a human being.

    Emeka, 29, a supervisor at Keyside Bar at Oregun, Ikeja, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and belonging to an unlawful society, the News Agency of Nigeria claims.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Police Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the offences were committed on June 24 at Alausa area of Ikeja.

    He said that the complainant, Mr. Ede John, a security guard on Channels Television road, came to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Alausa Police Station, to report the crime.

    He added that the security guards on duty at the bar also alerted the complainant that an offensive smell oozed out of the bag of one of their staff members.

    According to him, when the bag was searched, some clothes, a sponge stained with blood and a plastic bottle filled with blood were found on the accused.

    Ihiehie said when ThankGod was questioned, he claimed that the blood was that of a cat and a fowl and that the blood was given to him by his friend, one Johnson at Eko Hotels, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused was also suspected to belong to an unlawful society known as Alora Confratenity.

    The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened sections 42 (9) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. T. Akanni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties, saying that the sureties must have means of livelihood with an evidence of tax payment for two years.

    The case was adjourned until August 8 for trial.

    NAN

  • Four suspected cultists arraigned in Lagos

    Four suspected members of a dreaded cult — Eiye Confraternity — were on Friday brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

    The accused are Ademola Solomon, 23; Nweke Christian, 24; Sunday Ikoh, 24; and Lawal Afolabi, 21.

    They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and belonging to a secret cult.

    The Prosecutor, Police Sgt. Bosede Adegeshin, told the court that the accused with others at large committed the offences on May 22 at Aina Folabi Street, Lowa Estate, Ikorodu about 11.42 p.m.

    “The accused and their accomplices, who are yet to be arrested, belonged to an unlawful society called ‘Eiye confraternity’.

    “They were caught during their meeting in the area following a tip off,’’ Adegeshin told the court.

    The offences contravened Sections 42 (a) and 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mr E.O. Ogunkanmi, admitted each of the accused to a bail of N100,000 with two sureties.

    Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be blood relations of the accused, while others should be civil servants, whose tax payment to the Lagos State Government should be verified.

    The case was adjourned until June 28 for mention.

    NAN