A suspected cult leader, Emmanuel Nwokolo, arrested in connection with a wave of violent clashes in Ajangbadi and neighbouring communities in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, has admitted involvement in multiple killings in the area.
Nwokolo, identified by the police as a chairman of Aiye Confraternity, was arrested alongside Ayoola Israel, Ebuka Nnamdi and Chinedu Okafor during a coordinated operation by the Lagos State Police Command Tactical Squad in Ajangbadi.
The operation, carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, followed rising cult-related violence in the area.
Police said the arrests were part of a wider crackdown on violent cult groups terrorising parts of Ojo Local Government Area. Several other suspects identified only as David, Emma, Paragon, Fela, Santa and “Awilo” are reportedly on the run.
Investigators linked Nwokolo’s gang to more than 10 killings across the affected communities. During interrogation, however, Nwokolo allegedly admitted participating in the killing of four persons, all said to be members of rival cult groups.
A police source at the Ijanikin Tactical Squad, who spoke in confidence, said the operation followed intelligence-led tracking of suspects connected with repeated attacks in the area.
According to the source, detectives analysed patterns from previous crime scenes before tracing Nwokolo to a hotel in Ajangbadi, where he was arrested alongside another suspect.
The arrest reportedly led to the apprehension of two others alleged to be armourers for the gang. Firearms and ammunition believed to have been hidden after the arrest of the principal suspect were also recovered.
Admitting that he was a cult member, Nwokolo narrated how he was initiated and how rival members were allegedly targeted.
He said: “Yes, I am a member of the Aiye cult group. I am into internet business. I was introduced to the Aiye Confraternity by my friend, Hurry, who is now late. He told me to join the NBM if I wanted to make it in life, but I have not seen any improvement since I joined.
“I only participated in the killing of four people. The first was Soweto, a member of the Eiye Confraternity. We lured him under the pretence of buying hard drugs. Four of us, Emma, Paragon, Santa and myself, carried out the operation. I was the one recording the killing.
“There was another person we killed because his group allied with Eiye. David identified him. The third victim was also an Eiye member. Emma and David usually identified our targets.
“Whenever we carried out these killings, I could not sleep. It haunted me emotionally.”
Other suspects speak
One of the arrested suspects, Ayoola Israel, a fisherman, said he only kept firearms and ammunition for the group and did not participate in any killings. He claimed he was initiated with promises of influence and connections.
The 39-year-old said: “I am not one of the leaders of the gang. I only helped to keep the guns and bullets for the group.
“I was forced to keep the guns and bullets by one of the leaders, Emma. I did not follow them to any scene of killing, but I know the group killed some Eiye members.
“I was initiated into the NBM with a promise that I would have the opportunity to relate with top and influential people. That was why I agreed to join. When the police came to my house, they recovered 11 bullets and a revolver pistol.”
The third suspect, Ebuka Nnamdi, a warehouse worker at Alaba International Market, also admitted being a member of the group but denied involvement in any killings, saying he only helped to keep weapons.
The fourth suspect, Chinedu Okafor, a trader, said he was initiated while visiting relatives in Owerri, Imo State, describing his recruitment as unplanned.
Recovered arms
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the recovery of two locally made pistols, one revolver pistol and 13 live cartridges from the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, described the arrests as a major breakthrough in the fight against cult-related killings in the state.
He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the gang and restore peace to the affected communities.
“We are on the trail of other members of the gang. Lagos will not be a safe haven for cultists and violent criminals,” he said, commending the Ijanikin Tactical Squad for what he described as a major disruption of cult networks operating in Ajangbadi, Shibiri and Ilogbo.
Vanguard news
