Police arrest 27 suspects for ‘cultism, armed robbery’ in Lagos

The Lagos police command says it has arrested 27 suspects engaged in different crimes, including armed robbery, murder, and cultism.

Speaking with journalists on Friday, Idowu Owohunwa, the state commissioner of police, said automobiles, arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

He said on June 28, the police received credible intelligence on an ongoing jungle justice in Aratunmi, Iba Okokomaiko area, noting that on getting to the scene, the officers were able to rescue the suspects from being killed by the mob.

The commissioner added that the suspects — Segun Ishola, aka Bouncer, (31) and Auwal Daud, aka Blessing Boy, (21) — were attacked by residents for shooting one Ojo Lion to death before the police got to the scene and arrested the two suspects.

“Before you today we have a total of 27 suspects who engaged in varying crimes including armed robbery, murder, cultism, vandalisation,” he said.

“From all these cases, which we successfully cracked, we recovered a total of six arms, 12 live ammunition, one knife, two motorcycles, one vehicle, and SIM cards.

“One locally-made single-barreled pistol and one expanded cartridge were recovered from the scene in Aratunmi.

“The suspects confessed to being members of the Eiye confraternity. Further investigation led to the arrest of Adejare Oyelade, Oyekanmi Kolawole, Omotosho Tunde, Moses Ishola, Wasiu Ojo, Tolulope Adebisi, Ifeoluwa Izokpu and Adebanke Bello.”

In another case, the commissioner said five suspects who are members of a fraternity group notoriously known for armed robbery in the Mushin area of the state were also arrested.

“Four locally-made single-barreled pistols with two live cartridges were recovered from them,” he said.

“Police operatives swung into action and arrested four suspects: Tobi Robert, 23; Opeyemi Adeosun, 22; Jenkeo Olumide, 20; Toheeb Tajudeen, 25; and Nurudeen Kazeem, 27.

“Investigation revealed that they are a notorious armed robbery/cultism gang terrorising Mushin and its environs. The suspects confessed to being active members of the confraternity. An investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members and recover more of their operational arms.”