Six cult members arrested, machetes, axe arrested

Taiwo Jimoh

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspected cultists, alleged to be terrorising residents of Alapere, Ketu and its environs.

The suspects, Olawale Toheeb (22), Joseph Obinna (25), Obasi Ekene (21), Promise Omaha (18), Ogoekeweri Omokosi(24) and  Saviour Edet (23) were all arrested by the operatives of ‘Operation Crush’ attached to Alapere Division on October 18, at about 9p.m.

The suspected Eiye and Aiye cultist were alleged to have engaged themselves in a battle of supremacy; wielding dangerous weapons such as axes and machetes along Demurin Street.

It was learnt that the rival cultists were arrested by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Alapere Police Station, who mobilised his men. The DPO and his men swiftly moved to the scene and arrested two leaders of both cult groups.

The arrest of the leaders of the two rival groups led to the arrest of other members in their hideout at Mack Brown Hotel, Church Street, Alapere.

The police said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to belonging to Eiye and Aiye Confraternities respectively.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, disclosed that a large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, short axes and machetes were recovered from cultists’ hideout.

In another development, a 23-year-old suspected armed robber, Ayobami Adegbite, has been arrested by anti-robbery team attached to Langbasa Police Station, while he was allegedly robbing passersby.

The Divisional Police Officer of Officer (DPO) was said to have received a distress call, that some miscreants were attacking passersby at Kekere bus stop, Adoh Ajah. It was further gathered that the hoodlums were using dangerous weapons freely.

The DPO and his team dashed to the scene. When the suspects sighted the policemen, they opened fire on them. While others escaped, Adegbite was arrested.

It was in the process that the gang leader was arrested, while others escaped from the scene. One short gun, N16, 000 and one digital camera snatched from a victim were recovered.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and gave some useful information concerning the operations of his gang.

Elkana, while confirming the arrest of Adegbite, said the suspect has been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at the Command Headquarter, Ikeja, for further investigation.