Lagos Police Arrest Four ‘Notorious Cultists’, Recover Firearms, Live Cartridges In Ojo
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected cultists and alleged hitmen linked to a series of violent crimes and killings in Ajanmgbadi, Ojo and surrounding communities, in a fresh crackdown on cult-related activities across the state.
The Command said the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation at a hotel in Ajanmgbadi, Ojo Local Government Area, where operatives acted on credible information regarding their activities.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Nwokolo, popularly known as “Oblo,” 35; Ayola Israel, alias “Essy Pawpaw,” 39; Ebuka Nnamdi, 31; and Chinedu Okafor, 22.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, preliminary investigations uncovered evidence allegedly linking the suspects to several violent crimes in the area.
The police disclosed that a video recovered from one of the suspects’ mobile phones allegedly captured the killing of unidentified persons within Ajanmgbadi and neighbouring communities.
“Preliminary investigation revealed disturbing evidence of the suspects’ involvement in violent criminal activities. A video recovered from one of the suspects’ mobile phones allegedly showed the killing of unidentified persons within Ajanmgbadi and surrounding communities,” the statement said.
The Command further stated that the suspects confessed during interrogation to being members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity and admitted involvement in a string of violent attacks that had terrorised residents.
“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being members of the dreaded Aiye Confraternity and admitted to being responsible for terrorising residents through a series of killings and other violent crimes,” the police said.
A subsequent search conducted by operatives led to the recovery of three firearms and ammunition allegedly used in carrying out criminal operations.
Items recovered include two locally fabricated pistols, one revolver pistol and 13 live cartridges.
The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in other criminal activities, identify additional members of the gang and apprehend their accomplices.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in other criminal cases, identify additional members of the gang, and apprehend all accomplices. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives for the successful operation and reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, violent crimes and other security threats across the state.
He assured residents that the police would continue to intensify efforts to rid Lagos of criminal elements and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts.