Alarm on Increased Cult Groups in Lagos

Firstclass newsline learnt that the Lagos State Police Command

yesterday raised the alarm over the increasing wave of cult activities

within the metropolis, even as it beefed up security around key

government establishments for the Ramadan.

In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth

Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the command said it

has observed with dismay the disturbing activities of cult groups and

other associated criminal gangs in the state.

This is coming on the heels of the report that no fewer that 15

persons were killed and several others wounded Saturday evening when

suspected cultists opened fire at Agbonchia Market in Eleme Local

Government Area of Rivers State.

Nwosu said neighbourhoods and communities in Lagos like Mushin,

Ikorodu, Lagos Island and environs have been rendered vulnerable by

the activities of these hoodlums.

He said: "It has become imperative that we issue this advisory to

parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to be wary of

the type of friends and associates they keep.

"The activities of these hoodlums are the root of armed robbery,

kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes being experienced in our

neighbourhoods.

"The safety of communities is a collective responsibility between the

police and the communities and therefore urged the populace to report

activities of cultists to the nearby police station.

"We therefore urge you to avail us of credible information and

actionable intelligence to ensure that crime and criminalities are

kept at their barest minimum."

Meanwhile, he said the beefing up of security within the metropolis

was ahead of the end of the Ramadan fasting period. He urged members

of the public to be more security conscious and to also report the

movement of strange faces within their locality.

According to him, "The state police command has put in place a very

proactive and responsive security template to ensure that the

celebrations are hitch-free.

"However, we urge all residents to be at alert at all times and report

any suspicious persons, their activities and happenings in their areas

to us through the following GSM numbers: 08063299264, 08127155071,

08079279349, 08065154338, 08127155150, 07035068242, 08060357795 or

Toll free lines 767 and 112.

"The task of securing Lagos is a collective responsibility, so let us

all join hands with the police to achieve it."

In Rivers State however, firstclass newsline learnt that some

gun-wielding cultists, numbering about three, who rode on a

motorcycle, shot severally at people at a section of the market,

killing no fewer than 15 persons and injuring several others.

But the police said that only five people were killed in the incident.

A female eyewitness, who did not want to be named said: "The people

came into the market with a motorcycle and were about three. We

thought they came to wash their motorcycle, but before we knew it,

they started shooting at the people who were washing their

motorcycles.

"Immediately after shooting, they jumped on top of their bikes and

sped off. At the end, we saw not less than 15 lifeless bodies on the

ground and several others with gunshot injuries. We don't know the

reason behind the ugly incident."

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),

Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed

the shooting, said only five persons were killed in the incident.

Muhammad stated that one person had been arrested in connection with

the attack, adding that preliminary investigation by the police

revealed that the incident was an attack by a cult group.

He said: "The assailants came on motorcycles, opened fire on people

washing their motorcycles at Agbonchia Eleme and fled. Five persons

lost their lives.

"Preliminary investigation revealed the incident is related to cult

activities. One suspect is right now undergoing interrogation, while

investigation with a view of arresting the fleeing miscreants has

commenced."

Firstclassnewsline.net