Maha Christopher
A suspected cult leader arrested in connection with a series of violent clashes in Lagos State has admitted participating in multiple killings linked to rival cult groups, police authorities have revealed.
According to Vanguard, Emmanuel Nwokolo, identified by police as a chairman of the Aiye Confraternity, was arrested alongside three other suspects during a coordinated operation by the Lagos State Police Command’s Tactical Squad in Ajangbadi, Ojo Local Government Area.
The operation followed renewed cult related violence in the Ajangbadi, Shibiri and Ilogbo communities, areas long associated with deadly supremacy battles between rival groups.
Police linked Nwokolo’s gang to more than 10 killings in the affected communities. During interrogation, however, the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the deaths of four people believed to be members of rival cult groups.
“Yes, I am a member of the Aiye cult group,” Nwokolo reportedly confessed.
“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.”
He further alleged that other victims were identified by members of the group before being targeted.
“Whenever we carried out these killings, I could not sleep. It haunted me emotionally,” he said.
Police said the arrest followed intelligence gathering and analysis of previous crime scenes, which eventually led detectives to a hotel in Ajangbadi where Nwokolo was apprehended.
The arrest subsequently led to the capture of three additional suspects identified as Ayoola Israel, Ebuka Nnamdi and Chinedu Okafor.
One of the suspects, Israel, claimed he only stored weapons for the group and did not participate in killings.
“I only helped to keep the guns and bullets for the group. I did not follow them to any scene of killing,” he said.
The Lagos State Police Command said it recovered two locally made pistols, one revolver pistol and 13 live cartridges during the operation.
Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani described the arrests as a major breakthrough in efforts to combat cult related violence in the state.
“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.
Police added that several other suspects linked to the gang remain at large as investigations continue.
