The recent high profile security meeting held in Ikorodu to brainstorm on how to tackle the incessant cult killings and clashes across Ikorodu division may have started yielding desired results as a sting operation by the Strike Force put in place by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has succeeded in arresting 50 cult leaders, their wives and other cult members across the division while arms and ammunition were also recovered from them.
Oriwu Sun gathered that the suspected armed robbers and cultists were apprehended in Imota, Igbokuta, Adamo and Emuren areas of Ikorodu division between Friday and Sunday, March 5-7, 2021.
A total of thirty-eight (38) male and twelve (12) female suspects were reported to have been arrested during the operation. Those arrested included Oladunni Abiodun, m, 20, Dosumu Oluwaseun, m, 22, Segun Adelaja, m. 29, Gbamila Iyabo, f, 26 (wife of the Number 1 Aye Confraternity leader in Igbokuta, arrested with one pump action loaded with 8 rounds of cartridges), and Salisu Islamiyat, f, 29 (wife of the Number 1 leader of Aye Confraternity in Emuren, arrested with a locally-made pistol with some live cartridges).
Also arrested, according to Police report, was Abiodun Abbey (male), popularly known as ‘Oju Ogunle.’ He was alleged to have killed more than twenty-two (22) people in Ikorodu area, and 44 others in other places.
Among dangerous weapons recovered from the suspects included guns, live ammunition and cartridges, assorted charms, berets with Confraternity logos, paraphernalia of office of Confraternity, among others. Also, a total of six (6) suspected cultists were equally reported to have been arrested at Ibeju-Lekki area of the State by Police operatives attached to Elemoro Division in compliance with directive of the Commissioner of Police on constant raids of the criminals hideouts in Eti Osa Local Government Area of the State. The suspects arrested in the axis included Adeyemi Hassan, m, Adesoye Yusuf, m, Yusuf Sadiku, m, Isaila Adebanjo, m (an ex-convict, who is the leader of Aye Confraternity in the area), Mosuru Ojo, m, and Tajudeen Ramon, m.
The Lagos CP, Odumosu, has restated that the command will make Lagos State very hot for criminals, especially cultists, who terrorise residents of the State.
The Police boss re-echoed the command’s readiness to tackle and decimate criminals in the State while confirming the arrest of fifty (50) suspected armed robbers and cultists on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Speaking further, the Police Chief said he has put all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the State on their toes to ensure that the State is rid of cultism, crimes and criminality. He further charged them to spread and embrace the principles of the Community Policing concept of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni, to have effective policing of their respective areas and the State at large.
In addition, Odumosu ordered prompt investigation and prosecution of the cases, stating that necessary arrangements have been made by the Lagos State Government to consistently fast track judicial processes in the State.