By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Cultism has been the biggest challenge amongst the varying degrees of crimes facing the police in Lagos, the State Commissioner of Police Idowu Owohunwa has hinted.
Owohunwa made the disclosure, while parading some suspected criminals arrested within the past three weeks as part of the achievement recorded by the command in the fight against crime and criminality.
Represented by the Public Relations Officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Commissioner disclosed that 27 suspected criminals were arrested within the period in review, with cultists topping the list.
He said that a total of six locally made pistols 12 live ammunition, one operational motorcycle, one unregistered Toyota Camry car, one knife, one axe, assorted charms and sims were recovered from the suspects.
His words, ” We are parading 27 suspects today. Twenty six are male whilst one is a female and all of these suspects were involved in different crimes and chief of which is cultism.
“Cultism Is our biggest challenge in Lagos State now and it’s not being helped by the spreed of illicit drugs and that has been making the problem of cultism worst in the state”.
While giving a break down of the arrest, he said, ” On the 30th of June 2023, at about 2.00pm, based on credible intelligence that some group of boys suspected to be members of Kesari Confraternity are planning to retaliate their leader’s death on other rival cult members in Mushin area of Lagos State, police operatives of the command swung into action and arrested one Tobi Robert ‘m’ aged 23, Opeyemi Adeosun ‘m’ aged 22, Jenkeo Olumide ‘m’ aged 20, Toheeb Tajudeen ‘m’ aged 25 and Nurudeen Kazeem ‘m’ aged 27.
” Investigation revealed that they are a notorious armed robbery/cultism gang terrorizing Mushin and its environs. The suspects confessed to being active members of the confraternity.
” Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members and recover more of their operational arms.
” On the 11th of July 2023, at about 11.00am, based on credible intelligence that some group of boys suspected to be cultist brandishing arms are attacking rival cult members in Ebute-meta area of Lagos State.
” Operatives of the command were dispatched to the area where one Lukmon Odunsi ‘m’ aged 25yrs and Junior Peter ‘m’ aged 21 were apprehended with one jack knife.
” The suspects confessed to being members of Eiye confraternity. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of this syndicate.
” On 28th of July 2023 at about 3.30pm, credible intelligence was received on an ongoing jungle justice incident happening in Aratunmi area of Iba Okokomaiko, Lagos state.
” Police operatives of the command swung into action and rescued the suspects namely Segun Ishola aka Bouncer ‘m’ aged 31, and Auwal Daud aka Blessign Boy ‘m’ aged 21 who were being mobbed for shooting one Ojo Lion ‘m’ to death. One locally made single Barrel pistol and one expanded cartridge was recovered from the scene.
“The suspects confessed to being members of Eiye confraternity. Further investigation led to the arrest of AdejareOyelade ‘m’ aged 29, Oyekanmi Paul Kolawole ‘m’ aged 27, Omotosho Tunde ‘m’ aged 31, Moses Ishola ‘m’ aged 36, Wasiu Ojo ‘m’ aged 28, Tolulope Adebisi ‘m’ aged 38, Ifeoluwa Izokpu ‘m’ aged 23 and Adebanke Bello ‘f’ . Four locally made single barrel pistol with two live cartridges were recovered from them.”.
