Husband, Wife and a Mad Woman Killed as Cultists Clash in Ikorodu, Lagos
A couple and a mentally unstable woman were in the wee hours yesterday murdered by suspected members of the Black Axe cult group in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The killings occurred at about 3:42am at Itupate area of the town when hoodlums said to be over 80, struck in search of members of Eiye cult.
It was gathered that the attack was carried out to avenge alleged brutality meted to one of their members identified as Lanre three days earlier.
According to The Nation Lanre had escaped lynching by members of Eiye fraternity who claimed he was using his position to shield Aiye members in Ikorodu.
No fewer than 10 persons are believed to been killed in cult-related violence in the area in the last three weeks.
A resident who asked not to be named for fear of retribution told The Nation that residents were woken up by screams from the hoodlums who were chanting war songs.
“They went straight to Lati’s house. His younger brother and wife lived there. It seems they came for his younger brother who is alleged to be an Eiye member. They killed him.
“Then, his wife recognised one of the killers as Lanre’s boy and when they saw she had identified them, they killed her too.
“As they were leaving, a mad woman was pouring water on them and they shot her dead. These killings have become worrisome in Ikorodu. The police in Ikorodu need to sit up.
“The police in Ikorodu did not show up in all of these. I am telling you that they only came out with Onyabo (a local vigilante group in the town) after the cultists and miscreants had retreated. We cannot continue to live in fear as a result of the activities of criminals. Let the police go after the criminals and their sponsors.
“Who is buying arms and ammunition for these cultists? Who is using them? Will the police say they do not know them? Can’t the police arrest Lanre?
“There are complaints that Lanre’s boys are receving the backing of some influential people and that is why they are about committing atrocities.”
Our correspondent gathered that while the RRS were dislodging those who advanced towards the palace in protest, miscreants were said to have taken advantage of the melee to vandalize people’s shops, carting away television sets, fans and other valuables.
Contacted, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the violence occurred around 10pm on Thursday, adding that two cultists died and six injured.
He said Friday’s melee was as a result of the police’ clampdown on the hoodlums which led to the arrest of 21 suspects including an alleged notorious kingpin.
He said the police received a distress call that some cult members from two rival groups engaged themselves in supremacy battle along Isikalu palace and Solomade area of Ikorodu.
“The command’s anti-cultism unit and patrol teams from Ikorodu were promptly drafted to the scene. The leader of the gang, who has been on the wanted list of the command, Yusuf Omidele is popularly known as General was arrested and twenty other cultists.
“General was charged to court on several occasions and sentenced to prison. He completed his last sentence in 2014 and has become an Elder-in- Council in Eiye Confraternity. He led his gang in a reprisal attack on the members of Aiye, whom they alleged to have killed the wife of one of their leaders some weeks ago.
“The suspects arrested belong to both Aye and Eiye confraternity and have all confessed to belonging to secret societies. Two cultists died from the cult clash and six others were injured.
“The massive onslaught launched by the command on cultists and gangsters is a continuous operation with a view to arresting other fleeing members of the gangs. Four locally made pistols, eight machetes and three daggers were recovered. Suspects will be charged to court.
“To proffer a lasting solution to youth gangsterism, involvement of teenagers and underage persons in cult activities, especially at Ikorodu, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Zubairu Muazu yesterday met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, elder statesmen, parents, youths and other stakeholders at Ikorodu. All the stakeholders agreed to join the police in the fight against the menace of cultism and gangsterism,” he said.
Posted in Lagos News
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