The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cultists

  • Suspected cultists kill carpenter

    A carpenter simply identified as Abila has been shot dead by suspected cultists on Rasaq Tijani Street in Ikotun, Lagos.

    Abila, who was widely referred to as ‘Ewe’ was killed near his house.

    The Nation learnt that the cultists, who rode on three motorcycles, also attacked residents of Abaranje, Bakare in Ikotun and Igando around 7pm last Friday.

    A resident, Sola, described Abila’s killing as a shocking as he was an easy-going, gentle and friendly individual.

    “He was living with his guardian, who has been accommodating him since he came to Lagos,” he said.

    A landlord told The Nation that the incidence was shocking. He said some elders in the area immediately reported the case to the Ikotun Police station on identifying the victim.

    He said policemen were still arranging the removal of the corpse when they learnt that another person had been killed.

    His words: “I was coming from work when I realised that everywhere was in chaos and people were running. When I got home, I went to Mosque and asked what happened and I was told a young guy on our street had been shot. When the situation calmed down, some elders gathered to identify who the victim was and we found it was Abila. They went to the police station to report the incident and some policemen followed them to our street in three vehicles. We were still on the matter when some people rushed down from Abaranje that someone has also been killed.”

    Another landlord said: “Abila was a popular and friendly person. In fact, if you are going and you perhaps did not see him, he will draw your attention and greet you and that is why we are surprised he could be targeted by cultists.”

    The Nation learnt that his body was initially taken away by the policemen but was returned after the deceased’s family members demanded for it. He was buried on Saturday.

    Abila’s guardian, who is yet to recover from the shock said: “I was not at home when it happened as I only came back to learn of it. I’ve been in the hospital since then. There is nothing I can do because what has happened has happened. It’s not something to be remembered.”

  • Suspected cultists machet rival member’s father

    Suspected cultists machet rival member’s father

    Some suspected cultists from Ajegunle on Ikorodu Road attacked the residents of Thomas Street in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos on Wednesday evening.

    The Nation learnt that a stray bullet hit one person and another man said to be father of a rival gang member was macheted.

    Their action was said to show supremacy over their rival gang.

    Residents scampered to safety as they shots sporadically.

    It was gathered that the suspected cultists who visited the area around 7:30pm did not only attack the base of the other faction, but also looted some shops.

     A shop owner said the invasion caught them unaware as people run away immediately they heard gun shots.

    She said: “We are not safe here at all because we do not know why residents should be attacked by these cultists. They seize the opportunity to steal. After destroying shops, they stole our goods and monies. They shot one man. I also learnt some girls were raped. I and some customers locked ourselves in the shop. We are  lucky they didn’t force it open. Some people have started leaving the area. We learnt that these people are two factions and they are fighting over superiority. We want the government to help us flush these boys away. We do not have rest of mind here,” she said.

    A resident, Olaitan Qazeem told The Nation that he received an emergency call around 8pm not to come to home, saying that it is not the first time such crisis will occur.

    He said: ”Although I was not around but I later got home around 9pm. We do not know what caused the fight between them. They are all residents of this community before they divided into faction. Since yesterday (Wednesday), we have not heard if the police have apprehended anyone of them. We learnt police have intervened into the matter before but all to no avail. Whenever they begin their supremacy fight, they attacked innocent people . We want the government to help secure our area.”

    A member of Thomas Street Community Development Association (CDA) Rasak Adewunmi said the suspected cultists usually transfer aggression to residents, noting that the case was reported to Owode-Onirin Police Station.

    “We want the Lagos state government to help us deploy intelligent officers who can help us raid the area boys from their hide outs. We cannot bear this anymore,” he said.

    A former Councillor in the community, Seyi Ikuojiyanu said the community was in panic.

  • Police arrest four cultists over

    Police arrest four cultists over

    THE Police have arrested five members of a cult group that attacked residents of Ogijo community in Ogun State, which reportedly left four persons dead, including a 16-year old boy.

    The suspected cultists are Oluwatosin Mosaku, Tunde Adeleye, Olajuwon Jose, Sunday Ajayi and Sharafa Oladipo.

    Police spokesman  Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi paraded the four suspects before reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday.

    Oyeyemi said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at their hideout near Ogijo.

    He noted that investigations had revealed that the quartet have criminal records, explaining that one of them snatched a rifle from a policeman, three years ago.

    According to Oyeyemi, the police got wind of the cultists attack at Ogijo and responded quickly, and which resulted in the arrest of five of the suspects.

    The police also paraded three robbery suspects – Damilola Daramola (38), Tunji Makinde (38) and Jimoh Wasiu (37), who specialised in snatching cars and tricycles.

  • Eight suspected cultists, assassins held

    Police operatives attached to Area J Command have arrested eight suspected cultists who were allegedly involved in a gun duel at Ilaje.

    The suspects – Ayobami Ahmed, 20, Balogun Ahmed, 22, Olayinka Agbeto, 35, Kunle Odeyemi, 29, Lekan Adekoya, 26, Sylvester Bibra (aka Gardafi), 34, Daren (aka Shokey), 27 and Michael Ojintan, 20 – were arrested in two batches for alleged robbery and bullying.

    They were alleged to be members of the Black Axe confraternity who specialise in terrorising residents of Ilaje and Ikota.

    It was gathered that the police have launched a manhunt for Ogbowon, Dammy, Segun Okondo, Lekan, Ijooba, Jungle, Bariga, Biggy, Idris, Jelili, Corner Stone, Lawal – all alleged members of the cult group.

    Three of the suspects – Bibra, Daren and Ojintan – were alleged to also be assassins usually recruited by land grabbers to kill or maim their rivals.

    A police source said the suspects confessed to have three guns, adding that machetes, knives and several black caps were recovered from them.

    “They confessed to the killing of three people. They said they were behind the murder of an Igbo trader, called DJ White. The late White sold electronics. They also said their gang killed a rival cult member called China, of Eiye confraternity. Another of their victim, Yusuf Elegushi, was killed over money sharing formula,” the source said.

     

  • Seven feared killed as cultists, vigilantes clash in Ikorodu

    Seven feared killed as cultists, vigilantes clash in Ikorodu

    No fewer than seven persons have been feared killed after suspected cultists clashed with members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) at Ogijo in Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb.

    It was gathered that the fight broke out after the cultists, believed to be members of the Black Axe confraternity allegedly killed an OPC member near the Ogijo Bus Stop.

    The Nation gathered that the cultists had on Monday clashed with a rival group, Eiye, leaving about five people dead.

    It was learnt that the cult groups were battling for supremacy around 9pm, prompting OPC members to hit the streets, mistaking it for militants’ attack.

    It was gathered that sporadic gunshots forced most residents to flee their homes.

    Many residents said they returned to their homes yesterday morning only to discover that the crisis continued till about 12pm.

    According to a man who identified himself as Mike, five people were killed on Tuesday night in the cult clashes and two others died in the fight between OPC members and the gunmen.

    He said: “Everywhere was rowdy and before we knew what was happening, people were running to other parts of Ogijo. The vigilance group members and cultists were shooting and they killed a guy that was going to MRS filling station to buy fuel. The stray  bullet hit him and he died. A woman who sells local gin at the garage was also killed.

    “The police came on the night when the shootings took place. They also came this morning and shootings continued.”

    A resident, Wale, disclosed that most of the people who died were victims of stray bullets.

    He accused security agencies of not responding early to save the situation, insisting that only the OPC members braced for the challenge.

    “Six people died before dawn. I left home that night. In fact, I couldn’t do all I needed to do. This morning I thought it would have subsided, that was the reason I returned home. But from 9pm on Tuesday till about 12pm yesterday, they were still shooting.

    “No security. Where are the police in the state? It has become an everyday thing in this area. I think it is because the area is not developed yet. All shops are locked, no one could open,” he said.

    Similarly, a landlady decried the insecurity, adding that the vehicle she boarded to Ogijo could not get to the last bus stop.

    She said: “It made a U-turn with the 10 passengers. Ogijo is now a lion’s den. No one dares enter. Government has to look into this matter as quickly as possible. Even if OPC members want to face gunmen, they can’t do it alone. It was when they (OPC) members heard their member was killed that they came out to fight the criminals.

    “I built my house in Ogijo but now I hardly stay there. You can imagine moving from a four-bedroom flat to rent a room in another place just for my safety and my children.

  • 20 held as cultists kill one in Ekiti

    20 held as cultists kill one in Ekiti

    There is tension in Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, where suspected student cultists have unleashed terror through attacks and counter-attacks.

    One person was confirmed dead since the attacks started earlier in the week. But the cause of the violence was yet to be ascertained as at press time.

    No fewer than 20 suspects have been arrested by the community vigilance group, who have handed them to the Police.

    But some residents claimed that about five persons have been killed so far with most of the victims hacked to death in Araromi area of the town.

    Security has been beefed up in the community as Police now conduct stop-and-search on vehicles coming in and out of the town.

    Residents now go to bed early. Shops, business centres and places of worship now close early because of the security scare.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, in a telephone chat late yesterday confirmed that one person died in the cult violence.

    He said investigation has commenced into the violence, assuring law-abiding residents to go about their normal businesses.

    But the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, confirmed in a telephone chat that only one person was killed so far in the clashes.

  • Five suspected cultists held

    Five suspected cultists held

    THE police have arrested five suspected members of the Eiye confraternity in Ilasamaja, Lagos.

    Ayodele Shotayo alias AY, Sadiq Jamiu, Oluwatosin Onipede, Gbolahan Adedeji and Sadiq Akinosi were arrested by a team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Oriyomi Oluwasanmi, a Superintendent (SP).They were apprehended while plotting a reprisal on the Black Axe confratenity for allegedly killing their members.

    The Nation gathered that the suspects have been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikeja.

    It was gathered that Shotayo, who has been on the division’s wanted list, was caught inside a kiosk on Hassan Street; the others were arrested on Gbadamosi Street.

    The Nation gathered that the Eiyemembers camped in Ilasamaja before the Sallah holiday perfecting their strategy to avenge their colleague’s death.

    Shotayo, 34, who said he ran to Ikorodu after he was declared wanted at Ilasamaja, admitted that the gang was on a revenge mission.

    “We were on a revenge mission. We wanted to use the opportunity of 7/7 to attack our rivals who killed one of our members recently. Every July 7, we celebrate our fallen members and also avenge them.Before coming to Ilasa, I was warned that it would be difficult for us to strike because of police patrol. But I did not listen. We came to Ilasa two days before the D-day (July 5) to survey the terrain and just when we thought it was safe for us to strike, we were arrested by a police convoy on patrol,” he said.

    A resident, Matthew Iyama,praised the police for the arrest, adding that people have been apprehensive following rumour of a possible attack by cultists.

    “The arrest came as a huge relief. It also shows that the police are proactive. Rumour of the attack has been on for two weeks but nobody knew when they would strike,” he said.

  • Eight ‘killed’, several injured as cultists fight in Ogun

    Eight ‘killed’, several injured as cultists fight in Ogun

    Rampaging cultists yesterday unleashed mayhem in Igbosoro, an Ogun State community, allegedly killing at least eight persons, including a pregnant woman.

    The pregnant woman was said to be married to a cultist who disappeared when the hoodlums stormed his Igbosoro residence.

    Yesterday’s attack came barely 24 hours after some suspected  hoodlums struck at Fakale, Emuren and Igbosoro communities, leaving  no fewer than seven persons dead in the aftermath of their raids.

    It was gathered that among the victims of the latest attack was the son of the Baale (community leader) of Fakale.

    The cultists, suspected to be members of the Black Axe confratenity, were said to be celebrating their annual orientation known as 7/7 (July 7).

    They were said to have inflicting gunshots and axe injuries on many other residents, who were rushed to hospitals.

    Despite increased police patrols across Lagos, The Nation learnt that Ikorodu, Bariga and Ajegunle areas of the state also witnessed skirmishes from the cultists.

    A source within the community told The Nation that most of those killed were either cult members or their relatives.

    The source said: “Despite police presence, those boys celebrating 7/7 killed eight people yesterday evening. They injured many others who were rushed to the hospital.

    “As I talk with you, a lot of us have left Igbosoro because we are not safe. One of those killed on Wednesday night was the son of Baale of Fakale.

    “RRS (Rapid Response Squad) and Ikorodu Vigilante group known as Onyabo have been patrolling since morning but the cultists still killed people.”

    Efforts to get Ogun State Police Command spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi for reaction failed last night as he did not respond to phone calls.

    The state Police Commissioner Abdulmajid Ali could also not be reached on phone at the time of filing this report.

    But a police source in Lagos who confirmed killings, said the incident propelled the Lagos State police command to double its surveillance.

    “People were killed but not within Lagos territory. That place is under Ojigo Police Division. The issue let to increased patrols across Lagos. At the moment, the police in Lagos have started show of force across areas the cultists might strike,” the source said.

  • Seven killed as cultists strike Ogun communities

    Seven persons were killed yesterday when suspected cultists attacked Lagos and Ogun communities.

    The incident occurred at 6 p.m at Igbosoro in Ikorodu, Lagos as well as Emuren and Fakale in Ogun State.

    It was gathered that the gunmen, who went on the rampage shouting “Aye”, were suspected members of the Black Axe Confratenity.

    They were said to be celebrating their annual 7/7 (July 7) anniversary, which symbolises their orientation.

    While three people were reportedly killed at Igbosoro, a community near the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) campus, four others were shot at Fakale, a border community with Lagos.

    It was gathered that every July 7, people around Ikorodu are usually scared of falling victims of rival cult clashes.

    Although the names of the victims could not be ascertained, it was gathered that they were members of a rival cult groups.

    An Ikorodu resident who hinted on the murders wondered why the cultists started killing people on the eve of 7/7.

    “It is not 7/7 yet and these cultists have already gone on rampage in Ikorodu killing people. Every July 7 is a dangerous day to move around Ikorodu because of those Black Axe members,” he said.

    Ogun police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said:. “I confirm that four persons were killed yesterday evening by gunmen at Fakale community who were shouting Aye! Aye! The DPO said they struck around 6pm and that he suspects some notorious boys around the area.

    “Investigation into the matter has commenced and I can assure that the culprits will be fished out,” he said.Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said his command was on high alert

    “No death was recorded in Lagos. There were issues but in the Ogun side. I was personally at Ikorodu this evening and patrols are ongoing. We got a report that the hoodlums were at a hotel, which we raided but it turned out to be a false alarm. We are on alert,” he said.

  • Two killed as cultists clashed in Ondo

    A carnival organised by some youths in Ondo town, Ondo State on Monday turned bloody as two persons reportedly lost their lives while several others injured.

    One of the victims killed was identified as Afusat Ayodeji but as at the time of filing this report, the identity of remaining one still unknown.

    Crisis was said to have broken out at Kogbona Street where the event was held in the town between two rival cult groups.

    It was learnt that some of the people injured are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in the town while the remains of those killed had been deposited at the Ondo General Hospital morgue.

    The Nation learnt that the event turned to free for all when a rival cultist group stormed the event in search of one of their opponent, who is a member of the youths who organised the carnival.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums allegedly shot into the crowd, who had worn branded vests preparing to dance round the town.

    At the process, two persons were allegedly hit by stray bullets, while others sustained severe injuries.

    It took the intervention of the police before normalcy was returned to the town.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Enuowa Police Station in Ondo State, Kunle Omisakin confirmed the incident.

    He also informed that two persons have been arrested in connection to the mayhem.

    He however added that the case had been transfered to the appropriate section at the police command headquarters in Akure, the state capital for further investigation.