Joy Anyim
Operatives of the Isheri Osun Police Station of the Lagos State Police Command have rescued 15 persons, believed to have been chained and camped in a supposed prayer house, located at No. 26 Alafia Street, Oriofe Ijegun in Isheri.
The operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Chike Ibe, stormed the prayer house, on Wednesday, October 30, at 6:10p.m, where the victims were found chained.
Owner of the prayer house, Prophet Sunday Joseph Ojo, 58, and 10 others were arrested in connection with the ‘House of Torture’.
Confirming the rescue of the victims, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the prophet confessed to have been running the said prayer house since 1986.
Bala said the prophet had also stated that the victims were chained in order to prevent escape.
READ ALSO: MBGN: I feel fulfilled, says 2018 Queen Ukah
The PPRO said the rescued victims were between ages 19 and 50.
According to Bala, “Based on information from a reliable source, a team of detectives from Isheri Osun Police Station, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Chike Ibe, stormed a prayer house used as detention camp.
“15 persons who were chained on the leg, were rescued. Some of the victims were said to have spent five years in the detention camp.
“The victims are between ages 19 and 50, males and females. Some of them were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases.”
Investigation was said to be ongoing as the police were working closely with other agencies of government to provide adequate medical attention and shelter for the victims.
