The Lagos State Police Command on Monday arrested
and paraded five suspected killers of an official of the Lagos Neighbourhood
Safety Corps (LNSC) and 67 others for acts bordering on cultism.
The five suspects were arrested for the murder of
LNSC official, Bolaji Monsuru, who was killed last week during a minor scuffle.
Five of the suspects-Muyideen Bello aka 17; Wasiu Adio aka trouble; Nurudeen Odofin, Rokeeb and Balogun Adebayo-were
said to have led others, still at large to murder the deceased last week in
Surulere.
Meanwhile, the 67 alleged cultists were arrested
after the command raided their hideout during their initiation at Elemoro area
of Ajah.
According to the state Commissioner of Police,
Imohimi Edgal, the suspects of the Black Axe confraternity would also be
charged with armed robbery and illegal possession of fire arms.
While appealing to parents and traditional rulers
to prevail on their wards to renounce their membership of cultism, he said the
command had commenced massive clampdown on such cultists.
The Commissioner of Police said: "It is no
more business as usual as we are serious in this issue of war against cultism.
We have started pressing for stiffer punishment.
"Before now, it used to be lesser charges
against cultist but now we are going to charge them with armed robbery and
illegal possession of fire arms.
"We want to appeal to parents to advise their
children to shun cultism as we are serious in charging any suspect for armed
robbery and we will not take any plea from any parent."
Continuing,
Edgal said he was satisfied that the killers of the LNSC were caught within
five days after he gave the assurance.
According to him, "The deceased's enlistment into the Corp sent jitters down
the spine of most cult members because he knew most of them.
"Hence the arrested suspects and other
accomplices now at large attacked and killed the deceased at Umunede Bar, Mallam
Isa Close, Aguda, Surulere, where he had gone to watch soccer at the close of
work.
"The suspects have confessed that they
participated in the killing of Bolaji. An axe and a knife with blood stains
were recovered from the suspects, and have been sent to the forensic unit of
the police for analysis."
Edgal said Adio also confessed to being a senior
member of Eiye confraternity, adding that his group killed one Timothy last
October.
On the suspected Aye members arrested, Edgal said:
"Based on credible intelligence that members of Aye confraternity were
performing their initiation rites at a shrine in a forest at Ajah, the Divisional
Police Officer (DPO) mobilised his men.
"They were assisted by undercover operatives
of Area J, Elemoro, and men of the Anti-cultism unit of the command, stormed
the area and arrested 67 members.
"Two locally made guns, three live cartridges
and 22 expended cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
"Other items recovered from them were two
Suzuki mini buses marked LND893XV, and EPE189XV; one Volkswagen bus with number
plate EPE580XA; a Mitsubishi space wagon with registration number SMK455AL, and
two Toyota Camry cars.
"The suspects would be charged to court at the
conclusion of investigation."
No comments:
Post a Comment