No fewer than six persons were, yesterday, confirmed dead with several others injured in a cult war in Lagos. An eye witness said the six persons were killed when a notorious cult leader, armed with a sophisticated rifle, led his gang in a clash with youths at Okepopo and Onola area, on the Island, who were armed with Dane guns. The eyewitness claimed that the cult leader had vowed to take revenge on three of his gang members from Okepopo, who were lynched by Onola boys earlier this year. The source said: “To make his plan successful, he bought a new gun and has been looking for an opportunity to execute his mission. He succeeded during the 155th year celebration of Epetedo’s existence.
“He and his gang, during the occasion, pursued Onola boys, who left the area at about 3.30a.m. and attacked them along Tokunbo Street, killing two of them. “Also, on Friday night, one of the Onola youths was shot dead by the cult leader at Atiko area on the Island. Another boy was also shot dead by same cult leader on Sunday afternoon along Branco Street and two others were shot dead at Okepopo area, when the Onola boys went for a reprisal attack on yesterday morning.”
The incessant killing has led to the closure of many shops and markets at Itafaji, Evans, Branco, Olushi, Atiko, Onola, Okepopo, Massey Apatira, Smith and other adjacent streets on the Island. Residents were seen packing out in some of the affected areas. Meanwhile, police from Area ‘A’ command, Lion Building, yesterday, raided an undisclosed hotel where some cult members go to hide after operations and some of them were arrested. Police assurance Recalled that the new Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Imohimi Edgal, had assured Lagosians that he will bring an end to neighbourhood crimes of gangsterism and cultism.
He gave the assurance during a town hall stakeholders security meeting hosted by the Area ‘A’ Commander, ACP J. O. Akinyede at Lion Building, Lagos, last Thursday. The CP also emphasized the need to gain the public’s trust for a successful community policing, saying “I have told my area commanders and divisional Police officers and men that policing will now be by walking about.”
Source: Vanguard
