My resolve is to rid Lagos of cultism – Edgal

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, has described the involvement of youths in the state in cultism as worrisome and reiterated his resolve to rid the metropolis of gangsterism. Edgal made this resolve against the backdrop of the arrest of another set of 30 suspected members of a secret cult gang. Addressing newsmen […]

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, has described the involvement of youths in the state in cultism as worrisome and reiterated his resolve to rid the metropolis of gangsterism.

Edgal made this resolve against the backdrop of the arrest of another set of 30 suspected members of a secret cult gang.

Addressing newsmen on Monday, the police boss said, “Recall that on my assumption of office as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State police command, I made a pledge that the menace of cultism and cult-related activities in the state would no longer be tolerated. And I am sure that many people can bear me witness that for the past months, we have recorded a significant clamp-down on these elements, and we shall continue to go after them until we are sure they have been totally eradicated so long the police in Lagos State is still under my watch.

“The recent arrest of 30 suspected cultists was the product of community policing and community safety partnership policy thrust of the present police administration.

“Within the week under review, based on credible information from members of the public on activities of dreaded cultists, the Anti-Cultism Unit of the command arrested 29 suspected cultists from various locations viz: Solomade, Ebute-Iga, Ikorodu, Orile-Iganmu, Sangotedo, Oworonshoki, Alagbado, Ayobo and Amjeh areas of Lagos State. 

“Below are the names of all the suspected cultists that were arrested: Kudus Ogunyemi, 23; Gbadamosi Abdulwasiu, 27; Gbolagun Wasiu, 25; Bakere Ibrahim, 25; Olorunwa Oduntan, 18; Kazeem Ahmed, 25; Korede Hammed, 18; Quadri Banjoko, 18; Taofeek Ajayi Adekunle, 18; Ayomide Olawale, 18; Obinna Emmanuel, 30; Ngba Ifeanyi, 30; Nasiru Endurance, 23; Anyaskansi Wisdom, 28; Ibikunle Tunde, 36; Lekan Aminu, 18; Hassan Adekanbi, 18; John James,18; Femi Boe, 20; Olarewaju Olamide, 18; Sadiq Quadri, 18; Kehinde Olowu, 29; Wasiu Ogunbayode, 25; Lucky Ebeigbe, 32; Okochi Israel, 28; Oluwasegun Abiodun, 18; Kehinde Ogunkunle, 39; Oluwasegun Olayemi, 22; Taiwo Akinwande, 26; Aluko Ojo, 23; Babatunde Oroja, 24; Adeoye Adeshaye, 26; Jimoh Bayo, 27; Akeredolu Kunle 31; Olatunde Olalekan, 22;  Obafemi Idowu, 38; Jide Olowolayemo, 32; Tajudeen Oloyede, 41; and Michael Adenakun,  32.”

He said that items recovered from the suspects included two locally made single barrel guns, two knives, one axe, charms and one cartridge. 

Some of the suspects, however, claimed they were innocent of the cultism allegation, adding that they were arrested while returning from their respective places of work. Cases of those who were able to convince the Police Commissioner,  who went round listening to their tales of innocence, were reviewed with immediate effect.