Police arrest 19 cultists for armed robbery in traffic

Joy Anyim

The  Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, and men from the Ifako Police Division have in a joint operation arrested an eight-man gang of notorious armed robbers.

The suspects, said to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, were arrested with two pump action guns, four double-barrel guns, three single-barrel guns and 20 live cartridges.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were responsible for robbery activities and gang wars around Bariga and Oworonshoki areas of Lagos.

Parading the suspects at the Police Officers’ Mess in Ikeja recently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu, gave details of how the suspects were arrested.

Muazu said a 15-year-old boy was part of the gang. He gave their identities as: Jamiu Sanni (alias Satban), 27, Idowu Omorodiom, (alias Sugar & Sugar), 29, Aliu Mukaila, 15, Monsuru Kilani (alias alias), 39, Azeez Quyum, (alias Falapa), 21, Oladokun Timothy, 24, Jamiu Jimoh ( alias Jamoni), 31, and Musiliu Adio, 37.

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He said: “On August 28, 2019, at 4:20am, information was received from a reliable source that some armed robbers were sighted at Berger Bus-stop and Bariga areas of Lagos, robbing passersby of their valuables.

“SARS operatives and patrol teams from Ifako Police Station were mobilised to the scene. Three suspects, Jamiu Sanni, Idowu Omorodiom, and Aliu Mukaila were arrested and two locally-made double-barrel guns, with six live cartridges, were recovered from them.

“Investigation led to the arrest of five other members of the gang at Iwenle Street, Bariga, namely: Monsuru Kilani, Azeez Quyum, Oladokun Timothy, Jamiu Jimoh and Musiliu Adio. Two pump action guns, two double-barrel guns and three single barrel guns with fourteen cartridges were recovered from them.

“The suspects also confessed to being members of Eiye confraternity, terrorising Bariga and Oworonshoki areas of Lagos State.”

The CP further stated that the suspects would be charged to Court.

In a related development, the state police command also arrested 11 notorious traffic robbers harassing  motorists and commuters.

The suspects were said to be responsible for series of robberies at traffic points, bus stops, around Yabatech, Yaba, Ejigbo, Igando-Ikotun, Ipaja and Isolo areas of the state.

Items recovered from the suspects included one tricycle, five Bajaj motorcycles, two cutlasses and two phones.

CP Muazu gave the manes of the suspects as: Ahmed Durojaiye, 23, Waheed Oseni, 24, Rilwan Moshood, 27, and Taiwo Idowu, 32, Mosuru Mukaila, 20, Ahmed Oyebode, 29, Seyi Ogundele, 36, Ogunmola Akintayo, 30, Olatunji Segun, 28, Ayobami Olaniyi, 20, and Oladimeji Mustapha, 27.

Speaking on the arrest of the suspects, he disclosed that the suspects, who also doubled as cultists, were arrested based on a complaint at the Igando Police Division.

He said: “On September 14,  2019 at 1: 35 am.,  a case of armed robbery was reported at Igando division by a woman, Atolagbe Oyindamola, in Yaba, against one Ahmed Durojaiye, Waheed Oseni, Rilwan Moshood and Taiwo Idowu, all known to be notorious armed robbers, who specialised in snatching phones, money and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public, mostly where there are traffic gridlocks.

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“They operate mostly on motorcycles. The four suspects were arrested and one locally made pistol was recovered. They also confessed to being members of Eiye Confraternity. A follow-up investigation by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department led to the arrest of additional seven suspects: Mosuru Mukaila, Ahmed Oyebode, Seyi Ogundele, Ogunmola Akintayo, Olatunji Segun, Ayobami Olaniyi, and Oladimeji Mustapha.

“They all confessed to the crime and Investigation revealed that Oyebode, who is a cultist and motorcycle operator gives his bike out for robbery operations, and receives stolen phones and cash after operations as a reward. Ogundele and Akintayo are well-known leaders of Eiye cult group in Ejigbo.”

The police boss said the suspects would be charged to court soon.