Police apprehend 39 Eiye cultists during 8/8 anniversary celebration

No fewer than 39 suspected cultists have been arrested in Ogun and Lagos states metropolis.

Their arrests followed intelligence report of their plot to wreak havoc across the states during their 8/8 (August 8) anniversary, a practice which has been described as a norm among them.

Some residents of Fakale, Igode and Emuren communities; Odo Kekere, Odo Nla and Itapara within the LGAs and some other LGAs sharing boundaries with Lagos state had reportedly fled their homes for fear of being lynched during the alleged cult anniversary.

Residents also alleged that the cult members, while marking their 7/7 anniversary on July 7, put some communities under siege, during which some suspected Aye members killed 11 persons.

The Lagos state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed the arrests of some suspects to reporters on Wednesday saying, “All police divisions were put on notice leading to their arrest.

“Members of one of the gangs were going to bury their colleague but in the process attempted to attack Denton Police Station. But the Divisional Police Officer and his men arrested nine of them on the spot and 21 others were later arrested. Two others were at the Shomolu and Bariga axis,” he said.

“Fifteen of the 39 suspected cultists who admitted belonging to the Black Axe confraternity said they were paid N50, 000 to kill one Yusuf Elegushi.

“The suspects are Oguchukwu Obioha, 36, Moses Nefreke, 20, Udeme Samuel, 24, Onos Omovia, 19, Olayinka Agbadu, 35, Emeka Ezekiel 19, Kunle Odeyemi, 27, Michael Orji, 20, Lekan Adekoya, 20, Silva Berbra, 30, Dare Moru, 27, Kelechi Ezeaka, 25, Ayobami Ahmed, 20, Saviour David, 20, and Dickson Alex, 25.

“They were alleged to have killed Elegushi, a woman and another man identified as Chyna in Ajah following the shooting of one of their members in the leg.

“They claimed that members of the Eiye confraternity who gunned their member boasted that they will kill whoever challenged them.

“Twenty different calibre of weapons with 30 rounds of live ammunition, as well as 38 various vehicles were found in their possession as at the time of arrest.

“They have been detained and upon completion of the investigation, they will be appropriately prosecuted,” the Commissioner added.