We are winning battle against cultism, says Lagos Police Command

The Lagos State Police Command ssys it is winning the War Against Cultism with harvest of arrests of cultism kingpins and recovery of firearms from them across the state.

This is according to a statement issued on Sunday by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, in which he said 32 notorious cult members were arrested by Operation Crush.

“On 03/08/19 at about 1100hrs men from the Anti Cultism Squad while on patrol arrested one Sulieman Afeez age 32yrs at Mosavejo Amukoko Street, Ajegunle with a locally made single barrel pistol with one live round of Cartridge.

“The suspect confessed to be a member of Aiye Confraternity. His gang is responsible for series of violent crimes in Ajengule. Investigation is ongoing and efforts are emplaced to apprehend other members of his gang. The suspect will be charged to Court. 

“On the same date at between 7.40pm and 10.15pm, Operatives of Operation Crush from Eight Divisions in Area H Command Ogudu, acting upon credible Intelligence, raided a cultists hideouts at Bariga. One Augustine Udih ‘m’ 39 years old of Kajora Street Bariga and 22 members of his gang were arrested.

“They all confessed to be members of a deadly gang and cult group responsible for various killings and violent crimes in Bariga. Investigation is ongoing, suspects will be charged to Court.

“This is a follow up operation carried out by Bariga Police Station, on 31 /7/2019 at Oyenaya Street Bariga where one Kareem Sadiq ‘m’ 20years old and five other members of his gang were arrested. The suspects were charged to Court.

“On 24th July, 2019 at about 8.30am two cultists were arrested by men of Operation Crush at Itabale Igbolomu area of Owutu, Ikorodu while engaging each other in a battle for supremacy. One locally made pistol was recovered from them. The suspects were charged to Court.,” Elkana said.

“2. Arrest of a notorious Armed robber/Cult Ring leader.  On 28/07/2018 at about 2230hrs, acting on credible Intelligence, Operatives from Ilemba Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Kazeem Abonde arrested one Ismailia Rasaq a.k.a ODIA ‘m’ 25 years old of No. 27 Alubatika House Ajangbadi, Lagos. He is the leader a notorious armed robbery gang responsible for robbery attacks within Iba, Okokomaiko, Ojo and Ajangbadi using Okada motorcycles.

“They operate mostly in restaurants, bars and ware shops. The suspect is number two in the hierarchy of leaders of Eiye confraternity , ravaging Abraham Adesanya College of Education ijanikin and its environs and has participated in killing a member of rival group at Ojo area this year in retaliation of the killing of their member.

“He stated that his cult group mostly use guns and axes in killing their victims. He confessed to have participated in the robbery operation of a niaja bet shop at IBA on 11/06/2019 at 2146hrs along side three other gang members where they dispossessed their handsets and money at gun point.

“The CCTV footage played to him buttressed his statement as he confirmed that he was the one in the video holding a locally made shot gun. He equally confirmed that his gang members were killed by SARS operatives during a shoot out during another robbery operation at IBA.

“The suspect has been on the wanted list of Police. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu mni has ordered SARS to take over the investigation and prosecution of the suspect. 

“3. A 35 Year Old Man Committed Suicide in Ijanikin. On 03/08/2019 At about 0930hrs, Information received by Ijanikin Police Station revealed that one unidentified man, about 35 years old was lying dead inside a bush beside the bridge at Adio bus stop area of Ijanikin Lagos. A team of homicide detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene.

“At a close observation, one plastic of Snipper suspected to have been taken by the deceased was found beside him. Photographs were taken and the Corpse was removed and deposited at Mainland General Hospital Yaba Lagos for autopsy. Investigation in progress.

“4. A 61 Year old Man Found Dead in His Vehicle….No foul Play Suspected.  On 28/07/2019 at about 1730hrs. Onikan Police Station received a distress call from Obalende road that a man locked himself inside a vehicle Toyota Camry with registration number BEN 231 CB, colour Gold.

“Immediately the scene was visited, the door was forced opened and it was discovered that the man had gave up the ghost. The family of the deceased was quickly contacted via his phone. The name of the deceased was revealed by the family as Adebekun Olusegun Samuel, age 61 years and that he has been sick, so no fowl play was suspected. The corpse and the vehicle have been released to the family on request,” the statement said.