The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cultists

  • We were forced into armed robbery – teenage cultists

    We were forced into armed robbery – teenage cultists

    Four teenagers paraded by the Lagos Police command for armed robbery on Wednesday have said they were forced into the act.

    Samuel Madeko, 19, Bright Oriaku, 19, Ibrahim Oguntoyinbo, 18 and Babajide Akiola, 16, were arrested on December 28, at the Satellite area of the state for armed robbery and cultism.

    They were said to have dispossessed a road user of his mobile phone, laptop and money during the holiday, as well as robbed one Christ Apostolic Church.

    The teenagers were arrested after residents identified some of the culprits, as their gang members.

    According to the suspects, they were forcibly initiated into the Black Axe confraternity by one Bolaji and another Awala last year.

    The suspects, who claimed they were labourers at a construction site, disclosed that the said Bolaji and Awala usually forced them into armed robbery.

    According to them, their leaders connected them with a certain Pastor Chris who needed bands and furniture to state his own ministry.

    Oriaku told The Nation that they were given the telephone number of the said Pastor Chris, adding that he was aware they were going to steal the furniture and musical instruments.

    He said: “We have gone for several robberies. We usually snatch people’s belongings around 4am on the road. But we did those things out of fear because they were always forcing us.

    “But the truth is that we were not among the group that robbed that day. We refused to follow Bolaji and Awala because we had early morning job at the site.

    “What actually happened was that, our leaders usually come to the site were we work and so, people around used to see them. So, that day that we did not follow them, we heard they robbed a man near the site and collected some things from him.

    “People who saw them and knew they usually come to our site, now pointed at us that we were the ones.

    “We have gone for many operations. We have robbed a church. And the leaders are the ones who usually sent us. The day we went to the church, there was no door and so, we carried the things and took it to them.

    “It was one Pastor Chris who said he wanted to start a ministry and that was how we were sent to steal the things. I am not happy about the life I have lived, I was afraid to report to anyone because they threatened to kill me,” he said.

    16-year-old  Akiola who claimed he was an orphan disclosed that so many children, including 10-year-olds were members of the gang.

    He claimed as a new initiate, he usually played the role of a spy for the group whenever they were going for an operation or a battle.

    Although said he has never killed anyone, Akiola admitted that he had followed the group to a battle against the Eiye confraternity were two persons were shot by Bolaji.

    “I have told the police everything I know. I did not join this group with clear eyes.  I never wanted to join them but everything they will be beating me.

    “They will seize my clothes, my shoes, money and anything I have on me. Samuel usually harassed me anytime he saw me on the road because I refused to join them.

    “It is a normal thing in that area. Even small children of 10 years are Adaba (Senior ranks). I usually seat on the floor whenever they are around.

    “I am the most junior in rank, am a Tendi. After Tendi, you have Fly, where Samuel, Bright and Ibrahim belong and after them you have Adaba.”

    Asked how he was initiated, Akiola said they blindfolded him, slapped him severally and poured dry gin into his eyes.

    “I paid for the initiation. They covered my face; took me to one corner; gave me double slaps like 30 times; trampled on me while I was on the ground and then they poured whiskey in my eyes.

    “For several days I did not get myself. After all the beating and torture they gave me, they now said I should pay N17,000 to Fly or that I should kill somebody.

    “I refused to kill anyone and I told them I do not have the money yet. They told me that the Fly initiation is worse than the Tendi and that I was be taken to a native doctor and that I will die if am not strong enough.

    “They also said they will mix rice and garri and give me to eat. So,after they told me the whole thing, I just made up my mind that I won’t do it.

    “I am not happy that my evil deeds have led me into police custody. I pray that they forgive me so that I will just go to the village and live with my grandmother.

    “My father died last year and I only met my mother last year too but she does not want me. She prefers her children from her current marriage.

    “It was after I went to her and she rejected me that I returned to Lagos and joined the cult so that the bad boys will leave me in peace,” he said.

    According to Madeko who said he was an indegene  of Cross River State, he was initiated in April last year and has followed the group for several robbery operations as well as clashes with rival cults.

    He disclosed that before joining the group, the older boys in the neighbourhood would beat him up, seize his clothes, shoes and even money.

  • Cultists on rampage in Uyo

    Cultists on rampage in Uyo

    Gunmen suspected to be cultists have been laying siege on Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital in the last few weeks.

    Investigations revealed that last weekend no fewer than five persons were fatally injured when suspected cultists attacked a funeral vigil at Nduetong Oku, a suburb of Uyo, the state capital.

    It was learnt that a former youths’ leader popularly called Papa Bonjah and another resident of the area, Chidi, were among those injured when the assailants shot into the crowd of sympathisers at a funeral ceremony.

    According to Essien Akpan, a polytechnic student, those at the night vigil were mostly members of the Ntak Inyang Livestock and Slaughter Association who converged to condole with one of their colleagues who lost a parent.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred at about 2am, sending mourners scampering for their safety while some brave youths combed the Nduetong neighbourhoods and other adjoining communities in search of the hoodlums.

    The victims, who were rushed to the Life care clinic on Udosen Uko Street, Uyo metropolis, according to an eye witness, were treated after clearance from the police.

    Also at the weekend, a funeral assembly was disrupted along Idak Okpo Street, Uyo, when two  groups  suspected to be members of Klaans and Mafians confraternity clashed.

    Several people were wounded with bottles, machetes, clubs and other offensive weapons before operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the regular Police arrived.

    Worried by the resurgence of the problem, which had receded after the elections, the Department of State Services (DSS),  read riot act to cultists, warning them of drastic consequences if they sustain such nefarious crime.

    The State Director of DSS, Mr. Ayodele Adesina, disclosed that cultism and kidnapping rank high among major crimes perpetrated by criminal elements in the State and assured that with the cooperation of the civil society and the security agencies, such menace would be effectively checked.

    According to him, the DSS, working with intelligence information had successfully quelled cultism in parts of the state, especially Ikot Ekpene, where activities of the hoodlums had crippled socio-economic lives of the people.

    “If you go to Ikot Ekpene now, the place is peaceful,” the DSS chief said and enjoined the people to collaborate with the agency and other security operatives by volunteering information  concerning unwholesome practices of hoodlums.

    Since he assumed duties, Adesina, who spoke on the ‘media and security challenges facing the country’ at the just concluded Press Week organised by the State Council of NUJ, said the DSS had achieved a lot in the recent times.

    For instance, he disclosed that the Service bust several cultism and kidnapping cases, vowing to prosecute those arrested in connection with the crimes in court.

    Urging restive youths to shake off their criminal tendencies, Adesina said he was  engaging ExxonMobil and government with a view to securing their commitment to investing in youths’ empowerment schemes and vocational training for former militants.

    He noted that such palliative interventions became necessary to draw the former fighters out of the creeks, adding that such meaningful engagement would force the ex-militants to drop their guns and embrace peace.

    He added that when companies adhere to their corporate social responsibilities to the people, their operational areas would be peaceful and safe for business.

  • How cultists torched our homes, by residents

    How cultists torched our homes, by residents

    Residents of Ikota near Lekki-Ajah in Lagos yesterday relived how some cult members torched their homes on Monday.

    They claimed that the cultists undertook the attack to avenge the alleged killing of one Dada last Saturday.

    The late Dada was described as an occasionally visitor to the area.

    The residents debunked the fire service claim that the fire was caused by candle light.

    Fire chief Rasak Fadipe was quoted saying: “Somebody forgot a candle and slept off. It burnt out and started a fire. We met the fire raging and we engaged in active fire fighting operation to save the shanties, but unfortunately, we lost 17 of them to the fire.”

    Speaking with The Nation yesterday, a resident, who just gave his name as Samson, said the cult members torched the structures around 12.34am, while some residents were asleep.

    “It was the death of one Dada, who was killed last Saturday by some cultists that caused this incident,” he said.

    Another resident, Sylvester, said what the cultists did was a retaliation.

    “I heard Dada’s clique killed someone from the other gang and it was what caused the fight. I don’t know if there was any other reason. I can’t even say much because I don’t know who is watching me,” he said.

    Another resident, Jerry Macolo, who has been living in the area for eight years, said the fire was not caused by candle light, adding: “Majority of the structures here are shops and they were closed at that time. Those people were ready to kill anybody because of the incident that happened last Saturday. I don’t even know what woke me up. I just smelt fire and when I came out of the house, I saw fire everywhere. “

    Mrs Joy Nathaniel, who lost goods worth N50,000 to the fire described the incident as pathetic.

    She said the neighbourhood is different from what it used to be, adding that it is not a safe place to live anymore.

    “I operate a restaurant. When I got to my shop yesterday (Monday), I couldn’t recognise anything. I couldn’t rescue a table spoon. I borrowed all the kitchen utensils to cook. It was sheer wickedness.

    “We are scared to voice out. That is how they kill each other. We will be glad if the government can mobilise men of the armed forces to our community to eradicate them. We can’t move freely because there is always trouble. This neighbourhood used to be peaceful but now, we don’t know who is who. We need help,” Mrs Nathaniel said.

     

  • Court jails rapist, cultist 21 years

    A middle aged man, Super Ojo from Akaba in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for conspiracy, gang raping and belonging to a secret society.
    Ojo popularly known as Bestman was convicted by a state High Court sitting in Yenagoa, on Friday.
    The High Court 2 presided over by Justice Margaret Akpomiemie found Ojo guilty of conspiracy, actual rape and being a member of secret cult known as the Bobos.
    On the count of conspiracy, Ojo bagged five years in prison; 21 years for rape and two years for being a member of the Bobos. The sentences would run concurrently.
    The convict and nine other members of his gang raped a lady at a bush in Akaba and forcefully initiated her into their secret cult.
    On the fateful day, Ojo and four other persons who were armed with matchetes and guns stormed the home of the lady and accosted her and her brother.
    When neighbours came out to intervene, the convict who was reportedly dreaded in the community ordered them back to their house.
    They dragged the lady into a nearby bush where five other persons were waiting, blinded-folded her and each of them took turns on her.
    As they raped her, they made her to shout a slogan of their cult group and later gave her a matchete cut at the back as a symbol of the initiation.
    The rapists later took her to a place where she took her bath and they later asked her to go home.
    But she collapsed on her way home and was rescued and rushed to the hospital by a Good Samaritan.
    The young lady who spent many weeks in the hospital and at a point attempted suicide later reported the matter to the police who laid a trap for the rapists and arrested Ojo.
    Members of Ojo’s gang threatened to kill the brother of the victim if he failed to secure Ojo’s freedom and few days later the brother was attacked and killed with matchetes.

  • Suspected cultists set house, cars ablaze in Lagos

    Suspected cultists on Sunday set ablaze a building and two vehicles at Ogijo, Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb.
    The arsonists were said to attacked the properties belonging to the father of a leader in a rival cult group, located beside Omoleye hospital in Ogijo.
    It was learnt that the groups have had several clashes in the neighbourhood, destroying properties and valuables.
    The Nation gathered that the attacks have forced residents to flee their homes for fear of being hurt by the cultists.
    It was learnt that before the hoodlums set the house ablaze, they damaged two vehicles parked in the compound.
    They were said to have poured petrol on the building and lit it, keeping watch to ensure it was completely razed.
    But an eyewitness was said to have informed firemen at Ikorodu, who got to the scene on time to quench the fire.
    However, they were obstructed by the cultists, who threatened to burn the firemen and their truck if they do not vacate the premises.
    Confirming the development, the state fire service director, Rasaq Fadipe said the arson was reported at about 10:26am.
    “Someone ran to the station to report the outbreak and firemen moved to the site to contain it.
    “But some boys came around and halted firemen from quenching the fire. They threatened to burn the men and the truck if they don’t leave the site.
    “I do not know why they set the building ablaze but I learnt it belonged to the father of a rival cult member.”
    Fadipe also admitted that the fire service attended to a distress call at the Pan African University.
    According to him, the call was received at about 3:40pm, adding that the inferno started at the school’s diesel tank that supplies its generator.
    He said the fire destroyed the tank, the generator, as well as a PHCN cable.

  • Five ‘cultists’ in court

    Five men were yesterday arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly being members of a secret cult.

    They are said to belong to the Aye ‘Axe Men’ confraternity cult that displayed weapons in public and breached the peace at Imota in Ikorodu on May 28.

    Prosecuting Police Corporal Mary Ajiteru told the court that Rabiu Kapo (18), Joseph Fasasi (aka ‘Alaye’) (31), Adebayo Juwon (32), Olatayo Kehinde (24), and Adesanya Rasak (18) and others at large, joined the unlawful secret society to misbehave in public.

    She said: “They conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. They also displayed dangerous weapons in public without lawful authority and in a manner likely to cause terror.”

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate O. O. Olatunji granted them N100,000 bail and two sureties in the like sum each.

  • 30 suspected cultists arrested in Delta

    30 suspected cultists arrested in Delta

    Suspected cultists were Tuesday arrested by men of the Nigeria Police, Irri, Isoko South Police Division, Delta State following their alleged involvement in cult activities and related vices.

    It was gathered that the suspects who were members of different cult groups in the community were arrested at about 3.30 am in an attempt to attack one of their members who had recently renounced his membership in the community.

    A source who spoke on the ground of anonymity said, “He was in police custody and because he renounced membership of his cult group, his cult members were going after him, so he has to raise an alarm.

    He identified over 30 of his cult members that were arrested,

    The Chairman of the Irri Community Development Committee, Mr. Goddey Igorigo who addressed newsmen at Irri community, condemned cultism in the area and said the community was putting in place other measures to stop the excesses and the menace of cultism in the community.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the arrests and said they were already on the issue.

  • Suspected cultists kill 40- year old in Ondo

    Suspected cultists kill 40- year old in Ondo

    A 40-year old man has been reportedly killed by hoodlums suspected to be cultists in Ondo town.

    The incident, which has threw the ancient town of Ondo into mourning happened barely 24 hours after the new Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 11, Mrs. Kalafithe Adeyemi visited the town.

    Sources said the incident happened during the annual Ogun festival which was celebrated by traditionalists in Ondo and attended by people from across the state.

    It was learnt that some members of the “Eiye Confraternity” trailed the deceased from Okegbala area of the town to Fiwasaye Street, where he was macheted to death.

    Unconfirmed report hinted that the deceased was also a member of a notorious cult group in the town.

    The incident, which was reported at the Enuwa Police station, it was learnt caused pandemonium in the town as some youths protested against the killing.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Enuwa Police Division Mr. Kunle Omisakin, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

    He gave the name of the suspect arrested by the Police as Seto Akinbobola.

    The DPO said the suspect was already assisting the Police in their investigations.

    He added that the suspect has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state Police command in Akure for further investigation.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police command, Wole Ogodo also confirmed the incident.

    He said the matter would be properly investigated and the culprit will be made to face the wrath of the law.

  • Police arrest 27 cultists, robbery suspects in Ogun

    Police arrest 27 cultists, robbery suspects in Ogun

    The Police have arrested 27 persons suspected to members of notorious cult groups in Ogun state, following raids by operatives of the Police Command’s Special Anti Robbery Squad and Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence.

    The suspects until their arrest, the Police said, were involved in spates of killings and robberies in Ijebu, Agbara and other areas of the state.

    The suspects are; Ahmed Olasunkanmi (aka Ahmed the killer), Sadiq Muli,  Adewale Olumide (28) Rafiu Oluwatosin (27) and Ifeanyi Idor (27)

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said investigations have reveal that the suspected cultists participated in series of robbery attacks in the state, including snatching of cars within major cities and along highways.

    Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) gave the names of others as are Ifeanyi Okeke (34), Abiodun Taiwo (39), Ola Hammed (40) and Odion Ozasuwa (23) while 10 vehicles and eight guns and ammunitions of different calibres were recovered from them.

    In Agbara area of the state, the Police also arrested additional 14 suspected members of a  cult group while the duo of Idris Adejunwon (24) and Muideen Bello (26) were arrested in connection with the last August 5,  Ijoko Otta Killings.

    According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, has ordered  the officers and men of the Command to step up measures to rid the state of cultists, robbers and hoodlums.

     

  • Police parade two suspected cultists in Ilorin

    The Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded two suspected cult members for allegedly conspiring to kill a woman by drugging her drink before stealing her belongings.

    The suspects are Adeniyi Sijibomi, 18 and Tosin David of Eiye confraternity. Their victim was Bidemi Adewole.

    The police also paraded Adeniyi Sijibomi, 18 and John Onucho, 25, as some of the suspects behind last weekend’s clashes in Ilorin.

    Parading the suspects with three others arrested for criminal conspiracy and theft of vehicles, police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said the suspects mixed a pain killer called Tramadol with a bottle of Lacasera, which they used to drug their victim before committing the crime.

    He said: “On August 18, in a bid to arrest the perpetrators of last weekend’s cult clashes in Ilorin, which led to the killing of two young men, the command, in addition to the suspects earlier arrested, nabbed Adeniyi Sijibomi, 18, and John Onucho, 25.”

    Okasanmi said two locally- made pistols, two live cartridges and one expended cartridge were recovered from the suspects, who, according to him, “are members of the Eiye confraternity.”

    The police also paraded three suspected car snatchers, Kehinde Olumo, Alhaji Oba Suleiman and Olayinka Jimoh, who allegedly conspired to steal and buy stolen cars.

    Okasanmi said: “Through the efforts of the men of the command’s Intelligence and Investigation Department, members of inter-state vehicle thieves, especially from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, were arrested in Ilorin on August 17 by the anti-car theft division of the command. Investigation showed that the suspects are car snatchers.”

    He added that the suspects led the team to recover five posh cars from different locations, including Mazda 626 car registered as MUS C95 DC and Rav 4 Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with number plate ARP 123 MY.