LAGOS—Six suspected members of Aye and Eiye cult groups that have been terrorising Imoren area of Ikorodu, Lagos, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.
Arrested alongside the suspects was a 58-year-old herbalist, Muritala Ige, who said he usually prepares protection charms for cultists.
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| The Suspects |
The suspects, according to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, were among 30 others arrested from different parts of the state in one week.
He added that their arrest was effected following the confessional statement by leader of the Eiye confraternity group in Ikorodu, popularly known as J-Pron, a week earlier.
One of the suspects, who identified himself as Balogun Kamarudeen, said he joined Aye group to protect himself and members of his family.
He said that he was among those who attacked members of the Eiye group while they were celebrating their anniversary last month in Imota area of Ikorodu, killing two.
Attack, counter-attack
According to Kamarudeen: “I am a member of Aye cult. On July 6, which was the eve of our 7/7 (July 7) anniversary, members of Eiye cult came to Imoren town and killed seven of our members.
“The attack was done in the month of Ramadan fast. They said that was their anniversary present to us. The attack on our members was published in the papers.
“We bore the pain and waited patiently until 8/8 (August 8) when they too would be having their anniversary. I was among those who visited Imota to avenge the death of our members.
“We only killed two members of Eiye. But our mandate was to kill eight of them. During the cross-fire, they killed some innocent people.
“After that, we went into hiding until I was arrested at 2a.m., last Tuesday. I joined cultism to protect myself and my family from external and spiritual forces. I am not the leader, but I am one of the hit men.”
However, a member of Eiye cult, said only four rival cult members were killed during the Imoren attack, not seven as claimed by Kamarudeen. His colleagues corroborated his claim.
Why my charm failed them—HERBALIST
For the 58-year-old herbalist, Ige, “the charms I prepared for them were to prevent cutlass, axe and bullet from penetrating their body and also to fortify them spiritually against any affliction.
“Members of Aye are my clients and I usually prepare the charms with dogs and cocks.
“The reason why some of them died during the attack was because after the spiritual fortification with the dog, instead of leaving the dog behind, they went away with it.
“When those who managed to escape came back, I denied knowing them and requested for N5,000 consultation fee. The charm they requested for was that which would make it impossible for them to be arrested and against bullet.”
Items recovered from the suspects were a Beretta pistol, one locally-made single-barrelled gun, double-barrelled guns, cartridges, ammunition of different calibres and charms.
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