On Thursday 25th May, 2023, the Lagos State Police Command paraded some individuals suspected to be cultists at its press conference which held at the Police Office Ikeja, Lagos. Some of the suspects were found with possession of human parts, firearms, ammunitions, and other contraband. National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP reports that many of them will be charged to court soon.
Describing some of the cases, the PPRO Lagos Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin who spoke on behalf of the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa disclosed: ‘On 17th May 2023, at about 1715hrs, two men namely: Monday Alfred ‘m’ aged 32 and Laitan Apanpa aka Emir ‘m’ aged 34 on motorcycle with registration number JGB 276 VU were intercepted by officers on patrol. Upon searching, two decomposing human hands, one Techno and one Vivo phones were found in their possession. While Laitan was able to escape initially, operatives of the command located him at his hideout at Ibode area of Ikorodu where he was subsequently arrested.’
Investigation revealed that both suspects are members of Aiye Confraternity while Laitan, was a murder suspect detained at Ikeja whom escaped from cell during END SARS protest. Suspects confessed to have gotten the hands from his friend. Effort is in place to arrest other members of the gang’, NAOSNP gathered.
Also, he said: ‘On 18th of May 2023 at about 1020hrs intelligence report gathered revealed that a wanted notorious and deadly cultist known as ‘Koko Senior’ who was involved in the killing of rival cult group members and innocent residents during cult related clashes was spotted at his hideout in Ikorodu area of Lagos state. Police operatives of the command swung into action and arrested one Ibrahim Saka ‘m’ aged 26, Olayinka Qudus ‘m’ aged 22, Taofeek Agoro ‘m’ aged 33, Babatunde Otasanya ‘m’ aged 23, Cletus Monday ‘m’ aged 31 and Bamidele Godwin ‘m’ aged 28. Investigation revealed that Olayinka aka Koko Senior is the number one in rank of Aiye Confraternity and was initiated in 2016 while other suspects confessed to being members of the said group. Effort is ongoing to arrest other members of the group.’
SP Hundeyin narrated another case, ‘On 10th of May, 2023 at about 1300hrs, intelligence report gathered revealed that a wanted notorious and deadly kidnapper was spotted in Orioke Area of Ajegunle Ikorodu. Operatives of the command were dispatched to the area where one Shokki Ebis aka Nero ‘m’ aged 33yrs was apprehended with one locally made Dane gun, one live cartridge. In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a kidnapping syndicate terrorizing Ikorodu down to Redeem Christian Church of God back gate in Ogijo area of Ogun state. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of this syndicate.’
Based on credible intelligence, some group of boys suspected to be cultist brandishing arms which planned to attack rival cult members in Ikorodu area of Lagos State on the 5th of May, 2023, at about 1700hrs were arrested. ‘Police operatives of the command swung into action and arrested one Ridwan Akibu ‘m’ aged 28, Farouk Kareem ‘m’ aged 22 and Damilare Ige ‘m’ aged 30. The suspects confessed to being active members of Aiye Confraternity and also involved in the killing of rival cult group members and innocent residents during cult related clashes. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members and recover more of their operational arms.’
In the final case, ‘On the 22nd day of May, 2023 information was received from a concerned residence of Alaba market that a notorious drug lord is about to smuggled some consignment suspected to be marijuana. Operatives swung into action and apprehended the suspect, one Divine Grace Nwaha ‘m’ and one Nwabodo Ejike ‘m’ in possession of two cartons of weed suspected to be Indian hemp/Marijuana.’
The Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa assured Lagosians that the Command would continue to do everything operationally possible to ensure that crime and criminality is brought to the barest minimum in the State.
