Lifestyle

Another suspected cultist shot dead in Rivers

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Another person has been killed in a renewed cult clash between rival cult gangs in Awkuzu/Lumbumber Street, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that the killing followed the battle for supremacy and territorial control by suspected factions of the D12 and BS of Deygbam cult groups.

The latest killing which occurred on Sunday night, April 23, comes a few days after a similar clash led to the death of one Asari, along Ekwe/Ikwerre road, Mile 3, Diobu.

It was gathered that residents scampered for safety due to the ear-splitting sound of guns, and many remained indoors in order not to be hit by a stray bullet.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident on Monday April 24, said the killing, which was cult-related, was one too many.

“The Command is aware. I think it is still related to the battle of supremacy by these cult groups. We have commenced investigation into the incident to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and meant to face the law.” the PPRO added.

Lifestyle

One shot dead as cult war rages in Rivers community

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Another person has been shot dead as the recent clash among rival cult groups in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, River State continued on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

The latest victim, popularly known as Asari, said to be in his twenties, was killed at about 7:55 pm along Ekwe/Ikwerre road, Mile 3 Diobu in the metropolis.

Eyewitnesses told Punch that said ‘Asari’ was standing with some persons when about five armed men came out from a car, rained bullets on him and zoomed off.

Sources in the area on Thursday said that the killing was said to be a supremacy war between two suspected factions of ‘D12 and Blackies’ cult gangs.

“They were recently engaged in a shoot out at Elechi beach in Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt last Tuesday which claimed two lives. Now the war has spread to Mile 3,”

It was gathered that the shooting caused pandemonium, as passersby, road users and commuters scampered to safety while roadside traders within the scene hurriedly closed business for the day.

Speaking of the incident, a vigilante and Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Oroworukwo in Mile 3 Diobu, Godstime Ihunwo, confirmed the identity of the victim.

He disclosed that persons believed to be members of the victim’s cult gang carted away his corpse before his team and policemen returned to the scene.

“At about 8 pm on Wednesday, we heard two gunshots at IKwerre road /Ekwe Street opposite Bishop Okoye Street and quickly rushed down to the scene,” he said.

“On reaching there, we saw a young man known and called ‘Asari’ laying dead and immediately we approached the Nkpolu Police station to tender our report.

“As we and the police were coming back to inspect the corpse, we got a report that some unknown gunmen drove with one Jetta and one Mazda and made away with the corpse.”

Lifestyle

NAPTIP arrests cultists in Abuja over sextortion

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has arrested cultists in Abuja perpetrating gruesome acts of sextortion.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by NAPTIP spokesman Vincent Adekoye.

The statement said the arrests followed intense surveillance and undercover operations ordered by NAPTIP director-general Fatima Waziri-Azi, in response to several complaints.

NAPTIP added that the arrest was a breakthrough for the agency in its efforts to address issues of sextortion and nip it in the bud in Nigeria.

It explained that the group was known for perpetrating gruesome acts of sextortion and terrorising young girls, other Abuja residents, and its environs.

He recalled that the agency had recently been inundated with a series of complaints from victims of sextortion who had been blackmailed with a plea for assistance.

According to the anti-trafficking agency, sextortion is a crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute nudes and private videos of another person and when that person refuses to grant them sexual favours or pay them money.

It, however, said it was sexual exploitation where the perpetrator used coercion and threats to compel the victim to produce sexual images or videos engaging in sexual acts, revealing that the crime was punishable under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (as reenacted).

“The shame, fear, and confusion victims feel when caught in this cycle often prevent them from asking for help or reporting the abuse,” said Ms Waziri-Azi.

She advised young girls to be wary of this trend and protect themselves by reporting cases of sextortion to NAPTIP.

“Do not be gaslighted into thinking it was your fault. It is a crime and a crime against you. Report all perpetrators. If you do not report, you are emboldening these criminals, and what happened to you will definitely happen to someone else,” the NAPTIP chief stated.

She added;

“Parents, please support your children if they report cases of sextortion to you. Do not revile them. A lapse in judgment should not lead to condemnation. If you or someone you know is a sextortion victim, you can help stop the harassment by reporting it to NAPTIP. Save all conversations, chats, or messages between yourself and the perpetrator.”

The NAPTIP boss urged sextortion victims “not pay or share more of your sexual images with them” and warned that “your webcam or recording devices can be activated remotely.”

“Never have your phone or other electronic camera devices pointed at you while undressing or in a position you would not want to share with the world. Be smart and stay safe,” stated Ms Waziri-Azi.

Lifestyle

Suspected cultist arrested with gun in Ogun

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The So-Safe Corps has arrested a suspected cultist who has been terrorizing residents of Ogun State.

Spokesperson of the So-Safe Corps, Moruf Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, March 30, 2023, on behalf of the Corps Commander, Dr. Soji Ganzallo.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested when the agency’s special team responded to a distress call of possible attacks from the men living in an abandoned flooded building of 20 rooms at Oke-Ijeun Tuntun in Abeokuta.

Ganzallo noted that the team was able to apprehend the kingpin, Mr Akeem Yekinni, a 48-year-old man, who resides at the said building at Nawar-ud-Deen, Ijeun Tuntun.

He said that the suspect refused to disclose the rest members of his team and their mode of operation.

Ganzallo further revealed that after a thorough search of the room where the suspect resides, a double-barrel locally made pistol and a live cartridge was found wrapped with a cloth and kept in a travelling bag.

The suspected cultist and the exhibits have been transferred to the Nigeria Police, Anti Cultism Unit, Oke-Ijemo, for onward transfer to the State Police Headquarters, Eleweran for further investigation and likely prosecution.

Lifestyle

Suspected cultist shoots student dead in Yabatech

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An unidentified student of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos was shot dead, Thursday evening, around 9 pm, by suspected cultist.

Our correspondent, who was in the school at the time of the incident, noted that the student was shot twice while other students ran for safety.

A student, Tayo Aina, noted that she was behind the student that was shot.In a jittery voice, she said, “I was going for night class because my final exam is tomorrow and the next thing I heard was a gunshot and the guy behind me fell.

“I can’t say exactly but they were about two to three guys who were standing and I could see one with a gun as I ran for safety.”

Another student, who only identified herself as Mujibat stated that the level of cult shootings and killings in the school had to be stopped.

She stated, “It was a day to our matric during my National Diploma days when someone was also killed. It’s not the first time this is happening and no development has been made towards the issue at all.”

Mujibat noted that she was also on her way to the night class when she heard gunshots and students running helter-skelter for safety.

Confirming the story, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the incident was true.He stated, “The DPO of the area already visited the scene and confirmed that the incident did happen.”

He also noted that further details would be released by the police after investigations.All efforts to reach the school’s Rector proved abortive.

Lifestyle

Suspected cultists kill two in Bayelsa community

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Suspected cultists have killed two men alleged to be members of rival cult groups at Ogbogboro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The deceased identified as Tuesday Fati, 30, the owner of a guest house in the community and one Famizibe Clarkson, 25, were killed inside their apartment on August 11.

It was gathered that the suspected cultists who wore masks, stormed the guest house at about 2:30am and gained entrance into the apartment. A community source told Daily Trust that the killing may not be unconnected to differences between the two cult groups in the area.

The source said the area has been prone to cult-related activities and attacks on innocent citizens in recent times, as suspected cultists have regrouped in the community for their activities.

The police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the killing on Saturday August 13, said the command has commenced an investigation into the matter.

“The deceased identified as one Tuesday Fati 30 years and one Famizibe Clarkson 25 years were murdered inside their apartment at Ogbogboro community, Yenagoa on 11 August 2022, at about 0330 hours,” he stated.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the victims were killed in what appears to be suspected cult activities. The corpses were evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centers Mortuary for autopsy.”

Lifestyle

Police arrests 22 suspected cultists in Ogun

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Police operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected cultists in different parts of the state in the last 48 hours.

The spokesman for the state police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abeokuta.

He said the command had set up a special squad, headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to checkmate the disturbing activities of cultists across the state.

He said the suspects comprising members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities were arrested at the various hideouts in Lafenwa and Oju Ogbara area of Sapon in Abeokuta.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week ordered the police to end killings by cultists in the state.

The President’s directive followed the killing of 15 persons during cult clashes in many parts of the state.

Oyeyemi said: “Some of the suspects were also apprehended in Sagamu during a similar operation carried out by the squad.

“All the arrested suspects are currently being investigated to ascertain their roles in the cult war that had engulfed the state recently, which claimed the lives of some cult members.”

Entertainment

Ogun police arrests notorious serial killer, cultist

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The Ogun State Police Command has arrested an alleged notorious serial killer and suspected member of the Eiye confraternity, Sulaiman Ganiyu, who was said to have been on the “wanted list” of the command.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi.

According to Oyeyemi, the suspect was arrested on Sunday following a distress call from the Itamerin Comprehensive High School, Ago-Iwoye that the suspect came to the school premises and started shooting continuously.

He said the suspect was reported to be shooting to protest against the beating of a student said to be his younger brother

He words: “Upon the distress call, the DPO Ago-Iwoye, CSP Paul Omiwole led his patrol team to the school, but before their arrival, the suspect had run away.

He was subsequently traced to his hideout on Imosan Street, Oru-Ijebu, where he was eventually apprehended. On interrogation, he confessed to being a leading member of the Eiye confraternity.

“He confessed further that he was the one who killed one Awokale Olusegun, aka Lala, on February 27, 2020, over a supremacy battle following which he was declared wanted by the police.

“He also confessed to being responsible for the death of one Babasco and one Dapo at Ijebu-Igbo in 2015 during a clash between his group and the Aiye cult.”

Meanwhile, Oyeyemi said further investigation revealed that the suspect was the brain behind a series of violent cult clashes in Ago-Iwoye, Awa-Ijebu, Oru-Ijebu, Ilaponu and Ijebu-Igbo, in the recent past.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

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