Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Police Command on Wednesday, paraded 24 suspected cultists, who were allegedly said to be responsible for several incidents of armed robberies and terrorism across the State in recent times.
The suspected criminals, who were said to have allegedly confessed their memberships of both the dreaded Supreme “Eiye” Confraternity, Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe, otherwise known as “Aye” Confraternity secret cult groups, were arrested from major towns including Abeokuta, the State capital, Ijebu – Ode, Igbesa, as well as from Agosasa in the border community of Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.
Parading the suspects, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi said arrest of the suspects became exigent in view of the sudden upsurge in activities of and cult related killings witnessed in recent times within the State.
Oyeyemi stated that the incident, which had portrayed the State as “a safe haven” for criminals, compelled the police in the State to launch a “serious clampdown on those suspected to be behind the violent cult clashes which have left no fewer than five people dead across Ogun.
Although the PPRO was silent about the security operatives efforts at curtailing cultists’ from perfecting their preparations three months ahead of their annual cults’ anniversary which is usually celebrated at 7th of July of every year, it was however, gathered that arrest of the suspected cultists may not be unconnected with the determination of the Command’s Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, who has vowed to protect the State by bringing to book, perpetrators of evil deeds towards ensuring that the law abiding citizens across the State are safe.
Speaking with journalists during the parade, Oyeyemi disclosed that raids on the hideouts of the suspected cultists was targeted at supressing the rivalries and supremacy battle between the various cult groups in the State, particularly those ones who combined armed robbery with their membership of the secret cult groups.
Disclosing that various weapons, which included: locally made cut-to-size single barrel gun; live cartridges, as well as assorted charms and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects, the Ogun PPRO further stated that the arrest was made possible through the combined efforts of members of the public and the collaboration of the State owned community security operatives called the So-SAFE Corps.
Oyeyemi however, called on parents and guardians in the State to aprevail on their children to desist from engaging in criminal activities, stressing that the Command will make life difficult for anyone who tries to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State as the law enforcement agencies would be waiting for them.