Ogun: 3 held as cultists engage police in gun duel

Three persons have been arrested after suspected members of Aiye cult group engaged police officers in a gun duel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The suspects, Jonathan Oshinalu, Kola Bolugbe and Jimoh Aliu, a.k.a Alaayan, were arrested following an intelligence report received by SWAT operatives.

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The police got a hint that a cult leader, simply known as Ben, who was involved in several cult clashes leading to the killing of not less than five persons, was holding a nocturnal meeting with his group at Mile 2 area of Lafenwa, Abeokuta, for the purpose of launching another attack in some parts of the metropolis.

The police spokesman in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement, said following the tip off, a SWAT team, in conjunction with men of Lafenwa and Ilupeju divisions, moved to the area.

Oyeyemi said when the hoodlums sighted the policemen, Ben and his group engaged them in a gun battle which lasted for about 30 minutes. 

He said at the end of the encounter Ben escaped with bullet wounds while three among them were apprehended.

He further said, “The hoodlums destroyed the patrol vehicle of Lafenwa division before they were subdued by the superior fire power of the police.

“An unregistered Lexus 330 they used for their operations was recovered by the SWAT team.”