Lagos Police Bust Alleged Cult Network Behind Violent Attacks in Ojo
Residents of Ajanmgbadi and other communities in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State have expressed relief following the arrest of four suspected cultists and hitmen allegedly linked to a series of killings and violent crimes in the area.
The suspects, identified as Emmanuel Nwokolo, popularly known as “Oblo”, Ayola Israel, alias “Essy Pawpaw”, Ebuka Nnamdi, and Chinedu Okafor, were arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command during an intelligence-led operation at a hotel in Ajanmgbadi.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said preliminary investigations uncovered evidence allegedly connecting the suspects to several violent crimes within Ajanmgbadi and neighbouring communities.
According to the police, a video recovered from one of the suspects’ mobile phones allegedly showed the killing of unidentified persons in the area.
The suspects reportedly confessed during interrogation to being members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity and admitted involvement in a series of attacks, killings and other criminal activities that have unsettled residents.
Further searches conducted by police operatives led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, one revolver pistol and 13 live cartridges believed to have been used in criminal operations.
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities, identify other members of the gang and apprehend additional accomplices linked to the crimes.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the arrests, Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating cultism, violent crimes and other forms of criminality across Lagos State.
He commended the officers involved in the operation and assured residents that the police would continue efforts to rid the state of criminal elements threatening public safety.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime-fighting efforts.
