By Ifeoma Ikem
In furtherance to its fight against cultism, gangsterism and criminal activities, the Lagos state police command says that at least 15 suspected members of cultists group have been arrested within the state metropolis.
The suspects were reportedly apprehended by the operatives of the anti cultism team unit who acted on intelligence report and arrested some suspected cultists at Ajegulu, Agege, Ikorodu, Bariga and Ogba suburbs of the state.
The cult gangs are ; Godtime Goldle goldle 26year old, Chinaso Chukwuonye 33 years old, members of the young Viking group, while Emmanuel Igbokodo 38years old, Akeez Olatunji 33 years old ,Adeyemi Diya 29years old, members of Aiye and Segun Obakan 23years old, Ishola Sikiru 35 years AKA Subaru, Damilola Samuel 37years old AKA Spartacus, Peter Ikuyimuni 30years old ‘Eiye members,
Some of the suspects alleged that they joined groups as a result of intimidation within their areas by the gangs.
” we can not talk among our peer groups or move freely on the street without being intimidated .
Twenty – five year Uduezue kelechi, claimed to have been initiated on the day of his 2019 birthday celebration in one the hotels at Festac area in Lagos .
According to him, my secondary school friends of Adeonolu Secondary school, Ajegulu, called me on the day of my birthday Oct 25th 2019 that they want to give me a surprise birthday party.
“In fact i was happy, but when I went to join them at the party venue that they asked me to kneel down, some liquid substance poured on my head by one of them who acted as the leader and told me I am now fully initiated into the Aiye confraternity group.
The suspect claimed that right from that moment he was not happy with the exercise that took place because nobody informed him before hand or asked if he would loved to join or not.
“Later on I was asked to pay my dues and initiation fees of N30, 000, I refused to pay but I was force to start paying in installment until I completed the payment.
“when I paid thrice the pressure became much , I kept away from them and relocated but unfortunately I met one of them who identified me in my new area and started coming close to me, he was arrested when the police raided the area he was staying and he told police that I am one of them.
Emmanuel Igbokodo, 38 years old father of two, a driver at Tincan island, claimed he was arrested at Festac junction after he closed from work by police during stop and search.
” I was asked to come down by the police that they want to search me so i complied.
“During the process they searched me and discovered 2 tablet of tramadol drug in my pocket, i told them i do take the drug after the close of work that it relieves plains in my body.
The suspect told our reporter that he was a member of Aiye group far back in secondary school and was regarded as a big boy but after then I do not have any thing to do with the group again it was the tattoo on my body that police saw got me detained.