Police arrest 11 ‘cultists’ for killing 3 members of rival group

Operatives of the Ogun Police Command have arrested 11 suspected cultists for the alleged murder of three members of a rival group.

The suspects are members of the Eiye confraternity group who were allegedly involved in the recent cult clash in Abeokuta, the state capital which claimed two lives, the police said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this to journalists in Abeokuta on Sunday, said the suspects were responsible for the alleged murder of one Olaosebikan Tejuosho at Isale Abetu area on Friday, March 25.

Oyeyemi said the suspects: Quadri Ogunsanya, Jamiu Kehinde, Adenekan Samuel, Waris Ismail, Olamilekan Hamsat, Bamidele Waliu, Makinde Azeez, Makinde Ifajimin, Makinde Fashakin, Makinde Faleke and Ajeifa Arifasope, were arrested at Itoku area of Abeokuta metropolis.

The PPRO said the suspects were arrested following credible information received by the anti-cultism section of the command.

He said the suspects, who were said to have been involved in a series of bloody cult clashes within the metropolis, were planning another onslaught at Itoku area.

“Upon receiving the information, the officer in charge of the anti-cultism unit, CSP Shobiyi Oluwatoshin, mobilised his men and moved to the area where 11 members of the group were apprehended.

“On interrogation, the suspects confessed to be members of the dreaded Eiye cult group. They confessed their involvement in series of cult clashes one of which led to the killing of one Olaosebikan Tejuosho at Isale Abetu area of Abeokuta on 25th March 2022. 

“They (suspects) also confessed being responsible for the killing of one Habib Mego and one other person, known as School boy (real name unknown) at Omida area of Abeokuta, all on the same day”, Oyeyemi said.

He added that the commissioner of police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the activities of the suspects. 

He also directed that other members of the group must be hunted down and brought to book.

The police boss vowed that the command would intensify the ongoing clampdown on cultists until the state is rid of the hoodlums terrorising the people.