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Tag: cultism

  • Six arraigned in Ekiti for cultism, illegal arms possession

    Six persons yesterday were arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged cultism and illegal possession of firearms.

    Adefemi Tosin, 25, Yusuf Ayobami, 31, Mohammed Ibrahim, 29, Adejumo Ola, 29, Monday Queen, 29, and Asaolu Damilola, 31 are facing a two-count charge of membership of a secret cult, Eiye Confraternity, and possession of firearms.

    Prosecuting Inspector Johnson Okunade said the defendants committed the offence on August 5 in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said the defendants confessed they were members of Eiye Confraternity.

    Okunade said firearms were found in their possession.

    The offences contravened Section 4 (i) of the Secret Cult Code and Section 3 (i) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2012.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Mr Chris Omokhafe, their counsel, urged the court to grant them bail, promising they will not jump bail.

    Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye granted the defendants N200,000 bail with two sureties each.

    Adegboye ruled that one of the sureties must be a civil servant.

    Trial continues on September 19.

     

  • Offa Poly suspends two students for alleged cultism

    Management of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Offa local government of Kwara state said it has suspended two students of the institution suspected to be cult members.

    The names of the students include Tajudeen Selim and Temitope Omotosho.

    The state police command had early in the week paraded some students of the polytechnic for alleged involvement in cult activities.

    Management added that before the students were paraded by the police, it reported the incidence of forceful initiation to security agencies based on the complaint lodged by the student who was forcefully initiated.

    In a statement, polytechnic spokesperson Olayinka Aroye said the police’s quick response and intervention was responsible for the arrest.

    Mr. Aroye said: “The two suspected students were suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the police investigation and further findings on the matter.

    Adewusi Vincent who was mentioned along with the two had ceased to be a student of the institution having been withdrawn from the Polytechnic since 2017 for poor performance.

    “The management wishes to state unequivocally that cases of cultism have been a thing of past in the institution as the new management under Dr. Lateef Ademola Olatunji had purged the institution of all forms of cultism, gangsterism and other anti social vices since he came on board as Rector in 2017.

    “Other offences such as examination malpractices, sexual harassment are also gross misconduct at the Polytechnic which attract outright expulsion from the institution. Students found culpable are equally handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

    “The management, through its directorate of students’ affairs has put a lot of measures in place to checkmate cultism with the introduction of the use of security form for newly admitted students; regular sensitization of students where they are admonished to steer clear of cultism, hooliganism and other forms of social menace.

    “And that they should be of good conduct everywhere they are in order to ensuring peaceful co-existence within and outside the polytechnic campuses and maintaining harmonious relationship with other colleagues and the host communities.

    Since then, the students union executives and other students have been well behaved and have not been found wanting both in character and
    learning.

    It is on record that the Polytechnic enjoys a serene atmosphere, peace and tranquility than ever before.

    “It was likely because of the institution’s zero tolerance for cultism and stern sanctions on offenders who contravene and breach the rule that led the suspects to have taken themselves outside Offa to perpetrate the acts.”

  • Enugu expels female pupils for ‘cultism’

    Enugu State Post Primary School Management Board (PPSM) has expelled nine female pupils of Urban Girls Secondary School, Enugu for alleged membership of cults.

    It warned pupils against vices, especially cultism, insisting that the state had zero tolerance for cults.

    The board said henceforth, any pupil found to be a member of a cult would not only be expelled, but would also not be allowed to enrol in any school in the state.

    PPSMB Chairman Nestor Ezeme spoke at Ugwuoba Girls Secondary School in Oji River Local Government during the inauguration of a classroom block built and donated to the school by the lawmaker representing Oji River\ Awgu\Aninri  Federal Constituency, Toby Okechukwu.

    He said education remained one of the priorities of the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration, stressing that schools should make discipline their watchword.

    Ezeme said the government was committed to promoting education, noting that the governor was an advocate of youths’ empowerment via education.

    The lawmaker, who is the chairman, House Committee on Works, emphasised the need for support for education for the development of the society.

     

  • 40 held for pipeline vandalism, cultism, impersonation

    Forty persons have been arrested for pipeline vandalism, cultism and impersonation, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh said yesterday.

    They were arrested by a combined team of soldiers, Department of State Service (DSS), police task force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) officials.

    Parading the suspects at the 174 Battalion, Odogunyan in Ikorodu, Lagos, Udoh said 12 of them were arrested early Wednesday in Magboro, Ogun State, during a patrol by the anti-illegal bunkering and anti-pipeline vandalism team.

    The suspects, he said, were scooping petrol from a vandalised pipeline when they sighted the patrolling security team. The suspects allegedly shot sporadically to escape from the scene.

    Udoh said: “On sighting the troops, the armed vandals fired sporadically before abandoning their vehicles loaded with the refined petroleum products and some empty jerry cans. They fled to avoid being arrested. Notwithstanding, the troops arrested 12 of the vandals during a cordon-and-search operation conducted around the vicinity.”

    The GOC said 8,300 litres of PMS (patrol) and 24 vehicles, including three trucks, nine buses, eight space wagon cars, one Hilux van, three saloon cars and four motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.

    According to him, five persons were arrested with 19,600 litres of petrol in a similar operation by troops at a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline in Akute.

    Udoh said the 12 suspected impostors among them were picked up at some locations in Lagos and Ogun states. The suspects, he said, were in military uniform.

    Eleven, he said, were arrested for cultism in Ibeshe and Odokekere areas of Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Four of the suspected cultists, the GOC said, had been on the wanted list after their escape during a raid carried out last month by Operation Cordon-and-Search in Ejirin Depression area.

    Udoh said the suspects were undergoing preliminary investigations after which they would be handed over to the appropriate security agencies. He praised Lagos and Ogun residents for giving out information on the activities of the suspects.

    He said: “Special operations set up by the Nigerian Army will not relent until our communities are ridding of all forms of cultism, vandalism and other violent criminal activities and their perpetrators. I enjoin members of the public to continue to reach out to our men to give useful information that will assist us in ridding vulnerable areas of the activities of criminal elements.”

  • Troops arrest 40 for pipeline vandalism, cultism

    12 impostors held in military uniform

     

    A team of security agencies, led by troops of 81 Division of the Nigerian army, has arrested 40 suspected criminals for offences bordering pipeline vandalism, cultism, and impersonation.

    Some of the suspects were apprehended after gun battle with the security team, comprising soldiers, Department of State Service (DSS) operatives, police task force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

    Parading the suspects on Thursday at the 174 Battalion, Odogunyan in Ikorodu, Lagos, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Enobong Udoh, said 12 suspected pipeline vandals were arrested in early hours of Wednesday in Magboro, Ogun State, during anti-illegal bunkering and anti-pipeline vandalism patrol.

    The suspected vandals, he said, were scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a pipeline they severed when they sighted the security team on patrol.

    The armed vandals allegedly fired shots sporadically to escape from the scene.

    Read Also: Suspected cultists arraigned for firearms possession

    Udoh said: “On sighting the troops, the armed vandals fired sporadically before abandoning their vehicles loaded with the refined petroleum products and some empty jerry cans.

    They fled to avoid being arrested. Notwithstanding, the troops arrested 12 of the vandals during a cordon and search operation conducted around the vicinity.”

    The GOC said 8,300 litres of PMS and 24 vehicles, including three trucks, nine buses, eight space wagon cars, one Hilux van, three salon cars and four motorcycles, were recovered from the suspected vandals.

    In similar operation carried out by troops of 81 Division at the location of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline in Akute, five suspects were arrested with 19,600 litres of PMS as vandals loaded their vehicles with filled jerry cans.

    Also paraded were 12 suspected impostors arrested by special military team codenamed Operation Checkmate. The suspects, Udoh said, were picked up at various locations in Lagos and Ogun states while perpetrating illegalities in military uniforms.

    Troops also arrested 11 suspected cultists, while combing Reshe and Odokekere areas of Ikorodu. Four of the suspected cultists, the GOC said, had been on the wanted list after their escape from a raid carried out last month by Operation Cordon and Search in Egirin Depression area.

    Udoh said all the suspects were undergoing preliminary investigations after which they would be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and prosecution. He praised Lagos and Ogun residents for cooperating with security agencies and giving information on the activities of the suspects.

    He said: “Special operations set up by the Nigerian Army will not relent until our communities are rid of all forms of cultism, vandalism and other violent criminal activities and their perpetrators. I enjoin members of the public to continue to reach out our men to give useful information that will assist us in ridding vulnerable areas of the activities of criminal elements.”

  • Bayelsa warns youths against cultism

    Bayelsa State has warned youths against cultism.

    The Chief of Staff to Governor Seriake Dickson, Mr. Talford Ongolo, spoke in Yenagoa during the anti-cultism rally, organised by the Boys Brigade of Nigeria.

    He reminded youths of the anti-cultism law, which stipulates 20-year imprisonment for violators.

    The governor’s aide highlighted dangers of cult activities as untimely death and unfulfilled destiny.

    President of  the Boys Brigade in Bayelsa Mr. Doutimi Egbegi said the brigade would support the government to stop cult activities and other societal ills.

  • Kwara police parade six for alleged murder, cultism

    Kwara State police command has paraded  a police officer’s son, Lanre Mohammed Soliu and five other persons for alleged murder and cultism.

    Others paraded with him are Abolaji Safti Ojulari, Azeez Mayaki, Suleiman Babatunde, Yusuf Habeeb and Umar Yahaya.

    They all confessed to be members of Aiye Confraternity, adding that they have been involved in some killings and criminal activities in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Parading the suspects in Ilorin, the state commissioner of police (CP), Aminu Saleh said the ex-policeman’s son aka Askari was arrested on Tuesday after a manhunt for him over alleged killing of late Yemi Bayero of Ago market, Ilorin.

    The commissioner added that the suspect had confessed to have carried out the killing with one Abolaji Safti Ojulari, Adeyi and Tiro.

    The CP said Abolaji Safti Ojulari of Kankatu area in the metropolis has been a notorious cultist.

    Mr. Sale added that the suspect alongside 13 of his accomplices, had killed 11 people, including a notorious hoodlum Bayo Ajia, between 2016 and 2018.

    The commissioner said that “the suspect was arrested on May 5, 2018 after a manhunt. He has been in the command’s wanted list for over two years. He lives at Kankatu area Ilorin where he was hiding.

    He confessed to be an active member of Aiye confraternity. He also named his 13 accomplices.”

    He added that the 26 years old Azeez Mayaki was also arrested on Tuesday, saying that the suspect had confessed to killing of one Lateef on February 2, 2018 at Ode Alfa Nda Ilorin.

    “Also, one Suleiman Babatunde, male 26 of Gambari area of Ilorin was arrested after a discreet investigation linked him to killing of one Owolabi, male at Amilegbe area of Ilorin in July, 2017 with one accomplice, Olaitan,” he said.

    The police boss added that Yusuf Habeeb and Umar Yahaya were arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy and being members of secret cult.

    He said that the suspects among others who fled, were arrested while congregating at Kangile village, via Royal Valley Estate, Ilorin.

  • Murder, cultism suspects paraded in Ilorin

    The Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded the son of a former policeman, Lanre Mohammed Soliu, and five others for alleged murder and cultism.

    Abolaji Safti Ojulari; Azeez Mayaki; Suleiman Babatunde; Yusuf Habeeb and Umar Yahaya, were paraded with Mohammed.

    They all confessed to be members of Aiye Confraternity, saying they were involved in killings and criminal acts in Ilorin, the capital.

    Commissioner of Police Aminu Saleh, who paraded the suspects, said Mohammed was arrested on Tuesday.

    He is believed to have killed Yemi Bayero of Ago market, Ilorin.

    The commissioner added that Mohammed said he was assisted with Abolaji Safti Ojulari, Adeyi and Tiro.

    Ojulari is a suspected notorious cultist.

    Sale added that Mohammed and 13 accomplices had killed 11 people, including a notorious hoodlum, Bayo Ajia, between 2016 and 2018.

    He said: “The suspect was arrested on May 5 after a manhunt. He has been on the wanted list for over two years. He lives at Kankatu area in Ilorin where he was hiding.

    “He confessed to being an active member of Aiye Confraternity. He also named his 13 accomplices.

    “Azeez Mayaki (26) was also arrested on Tuesday, and he confessed to killing Lateef at Ode Alfa Nla Ilorin, on February 2.

    ‘’Suleiman Babatunde (26), of Gambari area, was arrested with his accomplice, Olaitan, after investigation linked him to the death of Owolabi, at Amilegbe, in July 2017.”

    Sale added that Yusuf Habeeb and Umar Yahaya were arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy and as members of a cult.

    He said they were arrested while meeting at Kangile village, via Royal Valley Estate, Ilorin.

    All suspects will soon be charged to court, he added.

     

  • Police parade six for alleged murder, cultism in Kwara

    The Kwara state police command Thursday paraded the son of a police officer, Lanre Mohammed Soliu and five other persons for alleged murder and cultism.

    Others paraded with him are Abolaji Safti Ojulari, Azeez Mayaki, Suleiman Babatunde, Yusuf Habeeb and Umar Yahaya.

    All confessed to be members of Aiye Confraternity, adding that they have been involved in some killings and criminal activities in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Parading the suspects in Ilorin, the state Commissioner of police. Aminu Saleh said the ex-policeman’s son aka Askari was arrested on Tuesday after a manhunt for him over alleged killing of late Yemi Bayero of Ago market, Ilorin.

    The commissioner added that the suspect had confessed to have carried out the killing with one Abolaji Safti Ojulari, Adeyi and Tiro.

    The CP said Abolaji Safti Ojulari of Kankatu area in the metropolis has been a notorious cultist.

    Mr. Sale added that the suspect alongside 13 of his accomplices had killed 11 people, including a notorious hoodlum Bayo Ajia, between 2016 and 2018.

    The commissioner said that “the suspect was arrested on May 5, 2018 after a manhunt. He has been in the command’s wanted list for over two years. He lives at Kankatu area Ilorin where he was hiding.

    “He confessed to be an active member of Aiye confraternity. He also named his 13 accomplices.”

    He added that the 26 years old Azeez Mayaki was also arrested on Tuesday, saying that the suspect had confessed to killing of one Lateef on February 2, 2018 at Ode Alfa Nda Ilorin.

    “Also, one Suleiman Babatunde, male 26 of Gambari area of Ilorin was arrested after a discreet investigation linked him to killing of one Owolabi, male at Amilegbe area of Ilorin in July, 2017 with one accomplice, Olaitan,” he said.

    The police boss added that Yusuf Habeeb and Umar Yahaya were arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy and being members of secret cult.

    He said that the suspects among others who fled, were arrested while congregating at Kangile village, via Royal valley estate, Ilorin.

    The police commissioner said that all the arrested suspects would soon be charged to court.

    He advised criminal elements in the state to eschew criminal acts, adding that the command was prepared to run them out of circulation.

    Read Also: Police bust Anambra gun dealer, 10 others in Benue-Taraba axis

  • Two in court for alleged robbery, cultism

    Two applicants, Friday Iro, 22 and Daniel Emezemu, 28, were at the weekend arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on charges on alleged robbery with a knife and belonging to a cult.

    Iro and Emezemu, who live in Oshodi, Lagos, are being tried for alleged conspiracy, belonging to unlawful society and robbery.

    The prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, had told the court that the offences were committed on March 28, at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused belonged to a secret society called “Arobanga confraternity”, which disturbed residents of Oshodi, Mushin and their environs.

    “The accused robbed Hammed Abdullah of his N13,000 at ‘knife-point,’ but they were later caught when they wanted to rob another person,” Ogu alleged.

    He said a call was put across to the police that angry youths wanted to burn suspected thieves and the police came to the scene.

    The offences contravene sections 40, 297 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    Chief Magistrate J. A. Adegun granted bail to the accused at N200,000 each, with two sureties each.

    He adjourned the case till April 18 for mention.