Metro

Police Reveal Cause Of Death Of Bodies Found On Lagos Riverbank

Published

3 months ago

September 8, 2025

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the five bodies recovered along the Oreta riverbank in the Igbogbo community, Ikorodu Local Government Area, on Wednesday were victims of a cult-related attack.

Panic spread through the community after residents discovered the lifeless bodies of young men by the riverside.

A video clip, less than 30 seconds long, captured some of the corpses sprawled along the riverbank. One of the deceased was seen facedown in a blue hoodie, while another in a black-and-white shirt lay motionless with bloodstains nearby.

The killings add to a series of cult-related incidents across Lagos, which have so far led to the arrest of more than 26 suspects, according to the command.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said new interventions were being deployed in Ikorodu and other flashpoints across the state.

He confirmed the incident was cult-related, adding that investigations were ongoing.

“That is why we are investigating. You know that we recovered the bodies and sent scene-of-crime experts to the place.

“The team has briefed me, and we have given more directives on areas to touch. We will make the outcome of the investigation public.”

The police boss explained that he had dedicated anti-cultism units established across all area commands in the state, as well as a central squad at the command headquarters to combat cult clashes.

“I have created anti-cultism groups in every area command. Parents and guardians must also be urged to advise and compel their children to stop cultism, as we are seeing attacks and counterattacks.

“If you look at the last two days, you will see that we have been able to control the situation through constant patrol of all the areas,” the CP noted.

Jimoh further revealed that specialised forces had been deployed to coastal areas to maintain peace.

“The coast strike force has been deployed to Lekki. They have been working day and night. The areas are now peaceful.

“The five bodies we recovered – we are investigating the circumstances, but it is cult-related. We have been able to bring it under control.

“After the arrest of 26 suspects, we have arrested more suspects since then, and arrests are still ongoing.

“Nowadays, it is not idleness or joblessness that forces people into cultism. These days, you will even see artisans and others engaging in cultism.

“The kind of successful operation we had in Mushin, where we suppressed cultism to zero level, is what we are replicating in Ikorodu. All residents should go about their lawful businesses, as everything is under control.”

The violence in Oreta came just a day after a man was gruesomely killed in Bayeku, another community in Ikorodu.

The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hammed Aroyewun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Oluwaseun Ajayi, said, “The incident, which shook the community and heightened fears over safety, drew an immediate response from the Council Chairman.”

Earlier in the week, three suspected cultists were also murdered during a festival on Lagos Island, further heightening concerns about cult violence across the state.

Metro

Sokoto Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Uncover WhatsApp Recruitment Channel

Published

5 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the notorious “Sai Malam” cult group, believed to be behind rising criminal activities in parts of the state.

The suspects, including the alleged gang leader Usman Shu’aibu, were apprehended on Friday during an intelligence-led operation executed by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the suspects confessed to being initiated into the group through a private WhatsApp platform called Red Chamber.

The police noted that further investigation discovered the social media channel was created to recruit unsuspecting youths into criminal activities.

These, according to the statement, include ritual practices, the pursuit of supposed demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, and violent thuggery.

The police warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities closely, noting that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to lure vulnerable youths.

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, said the arrests respond directly to public concerns about the group’s operations, adding that efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing members.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

In other news, two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

“An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

Metro

Army, Air Force Crush ISWAP Fighters After Failed Chibok Attack

Published

10 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai, on Saturday stopped a major attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters in Chibok, Borno State, before the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) moved in with airstrikes that killed many of the fleeing terrorists.

The report was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the update, more than 300 terrorists launched a coordinated assault on Chibok around 3:00 a.m., attempting to break through military defensive positions.

Soldiers responded immediately, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight that lasted about two hours.

A security source quoted in the post said the troops acted swiftly and professionally.

“There was no casualty on our side, and no equipment was affected,” the source said.

As the terrorists began to retreat toward the Timbuktu Triangle, ground troops called for air support.

NAF combat aircraft were deployed to the route used by the fleeing fighters.

The airstrikes, guided by intelligence from the troops on the ground, hit several clusters of terrorists trying to escape.

Multiple waves of strikes were carried out, with both manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial platform targeting groups of fighters dispersing into the forest.

According to Makama, the combined efforts of the Army and the Air Force dealt heavy blows to the attackers, preventing them from regrouping after the failed offensive.

Metro

Tanker Crash Kills Three, Fire Razes Shops In Kano

Published

10 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Three people died on Friday after a petrol tanker crashed and caught fire in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, while a separate blaze destroyed shops at Hamisu Plaza along Maiduguri Road.

The incidents were detailed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the first accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when the agency received a call from retired Civil Defence officer Danlami Muhammad.

He reported that a tanker had fallen at the Kura market junction along Zaria Road.

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“Firefighters rushed from the headquarters to the scene and found a petrol tanker with the registration number NGZ 250 XA carrying about 30,000 litres of fuel. The tanker had overturned, caught fire and struck a cyclist who was on the road.

“The incident affected four people. Three of the victims were found unconscious and were later confirmed dead, while the cyclist managed to escape alive,” the Fire Service said.

Firefighters, working with the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps, brought the situation under control.

The victims were handed over to ASP Ahmad Lawan of the Kura Police Division.

Two fire trucks, one from the headquarters and another from the Kura station responded to the call. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

The second incident happened around 2:45 p.m. after the control room received a distress call from Fire Assistant III Ahmad Gwangwazo, reporting a fire at Hamisu Plaza in Taruni LGA.

On arrival, firefighters found a two-storey commercial building measuring about 200 by 200 feet with flames coming from the upper floor.

“The fire affected three shops, while two others were saved,” the statement said.

The team was able to prevent the fire from spreading to the remaining shops on the first floor and the entire ground floor.

A fire truck stationed at the ongoing trade fair also joined the operation. The cause of this fire is also under investigation.

The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, urged residents to be extra careful, especially during the harmattan season.

“He is appealing to the general public to handle fire with care to avoid disasters.

“He further urged motorists to drive calmly and follow traffic rules to prevent accidents that may lead to loss of life or property,” the statement added.