Aiye hit man: I joined cultism to protect my family from spiritual, external forces

One of the suspected cult members arrested by Lagos State Police Command has revealed that he joined cultism in order to protect his family from spiritual and external forces.

The suspect, Balogun Kamarudeen, who said he belonged to Aiye confraternity, described himself as a hit man for the cult group. As a hit man, part of his job is to kill.

He was arrested along with five members of Aiye and Eiye confraternity groups.

The police said both groups has been terrorising Imoren area of Ikorodu.

Kamarudeen said: “I joined cultism to protect myself and my family from external and spiritual forces. I’m not the leader of our cult group, but I’m one of the hit men!”

Arrested alongside the suspects, was an herbalist, Muritala Ige, 58. He confessed to have repeatedly prepared protection charms for cultists in the area.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the suspects were among 30 others arrested from different parts of the state within a week.

Owoseni said their arrest came after confessional statements by leader of the Eiye confraternity group in Ikorodu, popularly known as Jpron, a week earlier.

Kamarudeen said that he was among those who attacked members of the Eiye members at Imota, Ikorodu area, while they were marking their anniversary last month, killing two members.

Kamarudeen “On July 6, 2016, which was the eve of our 7/7 (July 7) anniversary, members of Eiye cult came to Imoren town and killed seven of our members. The attack was done in the month of Ramadan fast. They said that was their anniversary present for us.  We bore the pain and waited patiently until 8/8 (8th August) when they too would be having their anniversary. I was among those who visited Imota to avenge the death of our members. We only killed two members of Eiye. But our mandate was to kill eight of them. During the cross fire, they shot some innocent people dead.”

A suspected member of Eiye cult, however said that only four rival cult members were killed during the Imoren attack, not seven as claimed by Kamarudeen .

His suspected colleagues corroborated his claim.

Preparation of charms Among them was 58 year-old Muritala Ige, who claimed to be the native doctor who prepared charms for cultists in Ikorodu and its environs. He disclosed that “the charms I prepare for them is to prevent cutlass, axe and bullet from penetrating and also to fortify them spiritually against any affliction. Members of Aiye are my clients and I usually prepare the charms with dogs and cocks.

The reason why some of them died during the attack was because after the spiritual exercise with the dog, instead of leaving it(dog) they went away with it. When those who managed to escape the came back, I denied knowing them and requested for N5000 consultation fee. The charm they requested for was that which would make it impossible for them to be arrested and against bullet penetration”.

Items recovered from the suspects included a Berreta pistol, one locally made single barrel gun, double barrel guns, cartridges, ammunition of different calibers and catchment of charms to hypnotize their victims.