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Tag: cultists

  • Suspected cultists k!ll community’s deputy chairman in Rivers

    Suspected cultists k!ll community’s deputy chairman in Rivers

    Suspected cultists at the weekend killed the Vice-Chairman of Obelle Council of Chiefs in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Ferdinand Dabiri.

    The attackers said to be suspected members of the dreaded Iceland cult group stormed a location where Dabiri and other chiefs were rounding off a meeting and shot him dead.

    A leader of the assassination group identified simply as Cairo was said to have alighted from a motorbike with a gun, bypassed other chiefs and shot his target twice.

    The son of the deceased, Joseph Dabiri, confirmed the incident in Port Harcourt while his brother added that the incident had been reported to the Rumuji Police Division

    Joseph said: “I heard that a guy came with a gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle, and shot at him.

    Then somebody grabbed him (gunman) but he struggled and freed himself from the man’s grip and shot my dad again twice and fled.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, saying investigation was ongoing.

    She said: “I can confirm the incident. From the situation report I got one ‘Cairo’ went to the Obelle community and shot somebody while they were holding a meeting.

    “The command has commenced investigation into the matter to ensure the perpetrators will be identified and made to face justice. The deceased’s body has been deposited in the morgue”.

  • Police arrest 95 suspected cultists in Edo

    Police arrest 95 suspected cultists in Edo

    The police in Edo state have arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered two locally-made pistols, one single-barrel shotgun and 24 live cartridges/ammunition in the sustained intelligence-driven raids of their enclaves in Benin and environs in the past week.

    The suspected cultists, according to Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), belonged to the notorious Maphites, Eiye and Aye confraternities, and were suspected to be responsible for the cult supremacy killings in Edo.

    Yamu said: “Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, fdc, urges parents and guardians to keep a tab on the activities of their children and wards, in order to curb the menace of cultism.

    “Edo CP further warns youths in the state to desist from joining unlawful societies that can only dim their future, and ultimately claim their lives or those of other innocent persons.”

     

  • One killed as cultists go on rampage in Awka

    One killed as cultists go on rampage in Awka

    There was pandemonium  in Aroma junction in Awka, Anambra State capital, as persons suspected to be cultists  killed one person.

    The shooting of the youth on Wednesday evening caused mayhem in the community as traders and residents scampered for safety.

    The victim, who was said to hail from Amudo Village in Awka, was said to be a tricycle revenue collector who was previously a Keke operator himself.

    A source said the assailants trailed him from the Ifite area of the state capital and shot him at close range at a filling station, which serves as a popular bus stop for buses and tricycles.

    Business outfits in the area were forced to close shops, and roadside traders abandoned their articles and fled.

    The major roads in the vicinity of the incident suddenly became empty, just as many people abandoned their cars and took to their heels.

    The lifeless body of the victim was still lying at the filling station at the time of filing this report.

    Awka has been witnessing cult-related killings for some time now, with gangs killing their rivals in broad daylight.

  • Police arrest 66 suspected cultists, 2 armed robbers in Plateau

    Police arrest 66 suspected cultists, 2 armed robbers in Plateau

    The Police Command in Plateau have arrested 66 suspected members of Sara-Suka, a cult group operating within Jos North Local Government Area  of the state.

    The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Steve Yabanet, disclosed this on Friday in Jos.

    He said that the suspects were apprehended by his men at different locations during its special Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in the state.

    Yabanet said that two suspected armed robbers were also arrested at Mavo community of Wase Local Government Area of the state.

    The commissioner said that the people of Plateau have always expressed their reservations whenever they are privileged to observe and celebrate any of the notable Muslim festivals.

    ”This is as a result of the recurring attacks on law abiding Muslim faithful whenever such events are celebrated by members of the inglorious Sara-Suka, and other cult groups, street urchins and criminal elements.

    ”During my last press briefing, I made a promise to the good people of Plateau that this ugly trend will be arrested and will be a thing of the past.

    ”In other to achieve this, officers of the command were strategically deployed to all praying grounds, vulnerable locations and efficient motorised patrol put in place all over the state

    ”So, we have arrested 66 suspected members of this cults group and two suspected armed robbers in the state. ,”he said.

    The commissioner called on residents of the state to support the police and other security agencies toward the safety of lives and property in the state.

  • Police recover remains of slain Rivers DPO

    Police recover remains of slain Rivers DPO

    The Police Command in Rivers has recovered the remains of the former Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Bako Angbashim, who was killed by cultists.

    Angbashim was reportedly murdered by infamous Iceland cult leader, Gift Okpara, alias 2Baba.

    The police later gunned down the criminal mastermind two years after a N100 million bounty was placed on him.

    SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    She stated that the recovery took place on March 10 following a well-coordinated joint search operation led by tactical squads and personnel form the Force Intelligence Bureau.

    “The operation targeted the camp of the deceased cult leader located inside the forest of Odiemude community in Ahoada.

    “Through diligent search efforts, a burial site within the gang’s shrine was discovered, where the remains of Angbashim were located and subsequently exhumed.

    “One of the remains exhumed was the deceased skull, which has been taken to the mortuary for scientific examination and genetic testing,” she said.

    She said that DNA samples would be compared with those obtained from the late officer’s relatives for identification.
    “In addition, we are working to locate and retrieve the remaining dismembered body parts that we suspect have been buried at undisclosed locations within the forest.

    “It is important to note that 2Baba, the gang leader responsible for this heinous crime, met his end on Feb. 17 during a planned assault by the Rivers State Police Command.

    “After 2Baba’s death, his gang escaped with his body, but the police successfully recovered his remains buried inside a shallow grave in Ebrass forest after a seven-day intensive search,” she added.

    The police spokesperson said that a manhunt has been launched for the other members of the gang and assured of their arrest.

    She said that the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, commended the officers involved in the operation and thanked the residents of the area for their support.

  • Police arrest 3 suspected cultists in Lagos

    Police arrest 3 suspected cultists in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State says its operatives have arrested three suspected cultists in Ishashi area of the state.

    The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, told NAN on Sunday.

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, had promised to rid the state of criminals.

    Hundeyin said that the three suspects were arrested on Saturday at about 6.30 a.m. by the police.

    “The police got information that some boys were seen in military uniform disturbing the peace of Oke-Odan community in Ishashi,” he said.

    He explained that operatives from the Ishashi division were “quickly drafted” to the community and arrested the suspects who are between the ages of 24 and 39.

    Hundeyin said that investigation has begun and the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Police arrest 7 high ranking cultists in Lagos

    Police arrest 7 high ranking cultists in Lagos

    The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, said that seven high-ranking cultists have been arrested in Ikorodu area of the state in the last five days.

    Fayoade confirmed the arrest during his interaction with the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) at the state’s command headquarters on Thursday.

    He said three were arrested on Tuesday, while four were arrested on Thursday at different parts of Ikorodu in Lagos.

    The commissioner said that cultism, traffic robbery and kidnapping were some major crimes he was going to tackle headlong.

    Fayoade, who solicited the support of CRAN members, stressed that media practitioners were part of his “eyes and ears” in getting feedback and other information.

    He said he was also partnering with the judiciary with a view to ensure arrested criminals were kept away for a long time.

    The police boss said he would be transparent in his operations, stressing that no officer would be covered up for any wrongdoing.

    According to Fayoade, he will always ensure that his officers and men carry out their duties professionally, requesting members of the public to give him information on any unprofessional conduct from them.

    He called on all Divisional Police Officers to ensure they made their stations conducive for all to make report/complaint when necessary.

    On commercial motorcyclists, he said there would be strict enforcement than before, stressing that some of them were part of the security challenges in the State.

    The police boss warned his men and officers against involvement in land issues, as it was a civil matter, noting, however, that those that want to cause trouble through land matter will be dealt with.

    The President of CRAN, Mr Olalekan Olabulor, assured the CP of the association’s support, as long as information would always be available for members to work with.

  • Police confirm killing of suspected cultists in Rivers

    Police confirm killing of suspected cultists in Rivers

    The Police Command in Rivers said its officers killed two suspected cultists, who were members of a cult gang that allegedly killed five persons in Odiemerenyi community, Ahoada-East, Rivers.

    The cultists led by a wanted cult kingpin, Gift Okpara, alias 2Baba, reportedly murdered the five victims in cold blood in the early hours of Sunday.

    The command`s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko who said this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday, said the deceased cultists were killed during a gun duel with operatives.

    “On Nov. 12, operatives of Ahoada Police Station received a distress call that some suspected cultists loyal to wanted David Gift aka 2Baba invaded Odiemerenyi community in search of suspected Police informants.

    “The police division on receipt of the information swung into action and mobilised with other tactical units to the scene.

    “On getting to the community, the hoodlums who unfortunately have killed five natives before the arrival of the police, opened fire on sighting our operatives,” she said.

    Iringe-Koko said an exchange of gunfire ensued between the police and the cultists leading to the death of two suspected cultists.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered the Ahoada Police Division and other tactical units to redouble their efforts to arrest the fleeing 2Baba and his gang members.

    “Residents of Ahoada East communities should go about their legitimate business as adequate security has been put in place to counter any security challenges.

    “The commissioner of police condoles with the families of those who were killed in the recent attack,” she added.

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara had placed a bounty of N101 million on the head of 2Baba linked to several killings in the state.

    The Iceland cult gang leader is also wanted for the murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the late Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada-East Local Government Area.

    According to sources, 2Baba had vowed to continue killing natives of Ahoad-East communities until his sponsors and sympathizers currently detained by the police are released.

    NAN

  • How cultists chased me out of LASU – Oxlade

    How cultists chased me out of LASU – Oxlade

    Sensational Nigerian singer, Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, popularly known as Oxlade, has explained reasons for abandoning his university degree programme in his final year.

    The ‘Ku Lo Sa’ crooner said he was studying at Lagos State University, LASU, but dropped out in his final year because some cultists were after his life.

    According to him, cultists were pressuring him to join their gang but he declined and fled the campus.

    He disclosed this in the latest episode of the Tea With Tay podcast, hosted by actor, Temisan Emmanuel Ahwieh, aka Taymesan.

    Oxlade said, “During my university days, I was always in the church reading bible and books. Then I dropped out in my final year.

    “I’ve never said this before. I dropped out when some boy were trying to make me join gang. One day, my grandma called me asking where I am. I said I was in campus and she said I should start coming to our family home in Ibadan.

    “I went to Ibadan. That day, those cultists, they almost killed my roommates. That’s why I appreciate my grandma’s importance in my life. Truly, there’s God. And I’m saying this with my full chest, God has saved me countless times.”

  • Ogun police confirm arrest of 19 suspected cultists

    Ogun police confirm arrest of 19 suspected cultists

    The police command in Ogun says it arrested 19 suspected cultists during its successful tactical operation.

    SP Omolola Odutola, the State Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Monday.

    Odutola explained that the tactical operation that occurred on Sunday led to the arrest of one Ogunnibi Hammed, the kingpin of the Eiye Confraternity.

    She noted that the notorious cultist had been widely known for his involvement in gruesome attacks against rival cult groups in the state.

    The PPRO stated that the operation was as a result of a combined effort between the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Anti-Cultism Unit (AKU), and the Obalende Division of the police force.

    She added that the police acted on intercepted information, saying the operation targeted the suspected cultists who had been causing terror in various areas, including Odogbolu, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode and Ilishan areas of the state.

    She stated that apart from Hammed, 18 other suspected cultists who were arrested had confessed to being active members of different cult groups.

    The police spokeswoman explained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alamutu, had ordered an immediate investigation into the individuals apprehended.

    “As the investigation progresses, the police will provide updates to the public regarding any relevant developments in this case,” he said.