Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Team of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos, have arrested no fewer than 90 suspected cultists across the state.
The Anti-cultism Team led by Superintendent Kehinde Thompson had launched a manhunt for the suspected cult members following tip-offs on their operations at different locations in the state.
At the Ladipo area of Lagos, two suspected cultists, 22-year-old Chigozie Chukwuebere, who is also a gang leader, and Adekunle Babatunde, 24, were arrested. The cultists confessed to have been introduced to do some business in the market by an importer, who allegedly brought them to Lagos.
The suspects, who confessed to be members of the Vikings cult group, said their mission was to recruit more members in the market.
Items found on the suspected cultists include a cut-to-size locally made pistol, four UTC Axes, charms, 50 expended live ammunition, stolen phones, and other dangerous items.
A source informed our correspondent that the cultists engaged the operatives of the Anti-cultism team in a gun battle, before they were overpowered and arrested. During the suspect’s engagement with the police team, property such as cars and buildings were damaged.
Confessing to the crime, Chigozie Chukwuebere, who hails from Nnewi in Anambra State, said he was initiated into the Viking cult group in Anambra State some years back, but decided to migrate to Lagos when he was declared wanted by police in the state.
“I was brought to Lagos by one of the big importers in Ladipo market. His intention was to help me make a living in the market without knowing that I am a cult member. Having seen that the market is enormous with youths, I decided to take advantage by recruiting members into the cult group, as the leader. Later, we became an instrument for people who need our service within the community”, he said..
Chigozie also confirmed that many cult groups, sponsored various influential people, including some leaders of the market, existed at the Ladipo Market
Another suspected cultist, Adekunle Babatunde, 24, also confessed, “We were in Ladipo to get more members for the Vikings group, and while the plan was on, our leader, Chigozie, called me to come over to the scene of a crisis, where the police came and rounded us up.”
At Bariga, another crime prone area in Lagos, police operatives’ efforts paid off with the arrest of the members of the Eye confraternity group.
The suspects were arrested at their meeting point, before they embarked on operation. A large quantity of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, was found in their possession. Also recovered from them were arms and ammunition, six machetes, four cut-to-size locally made pistol, assorted charms, 18 live bullets and other dangerous weapons.
Among those arrested were Ibrahim Ayinla, 19, Korede Usman, Lateef Mufatu, 24, Rilwan Ahmed, 19, Temilaje Babashola, 19, Hassan Olarinde, 27, Okebunmi Adebowale, 28, Olusegun Ogunleye, 39, Abiodun Sodiq, 24, Amidu Taofik, 45, Lanre Aina, 41, Kunle Peters, 29, Segun Omoyemi, 28, Stephen Friday, 28, Amodu Ibrahim, 29, and Philip Idomive, 27. Others are Igbalajobi Jelili, 42, Adeoye Michael, 25, Ogunlesi Michael, 25, and Idris Moses, 28.
The Suspect were also found with the insignia of their cult group.
Our correspondent also learnt from police sources that 11 cultists were nabbed at the Mushin Railway Crossing area of Lagos.
The suspects were arrested in their hideout in a hotel in Mushin suburb during a meeting of the cult group.
Police source also said dangerous weapons, including eight cut-to-size locally made pistol, 24 red clothes in various sizes, 12 machetes, arms and ammunitions were recovered from them.
However, a police source told our correspondent that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations on them were concluded.
