Metro

Police Reveal Cause Of Death Of Bodies Found On Lagos Riverbank

Published

1 month 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

Police Intercept 400 Ammunition, Arrest Suspect In Delta

Published

5 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command says it has intercepted 400 ammunition at the Bridge Head, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Bright Edafe, who disclosed this on Saturday in a statement in Asaba, noted that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has continued to sustain its proactive operations against criminal elements across the State.

He said, “Through intelligence-led policing, operatives of the command have recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against illicit drugs and illegal possession of ammunition.

“Operatives of the ‘C’ Division, Asaba, led by CSP Ogbe Emmanuel, intercepted a major movement of ammunition bound for Edo State.

“While conducting routine surveillance and stop-and-search operations at the Head Bridge, Asaba, the operatives flagged down a Toyota Hiace Hummer Bus with registration number NGK 16 XB, driven by one Ozoemenam Sylvanus.

“The driver, appearing uneasy during questioning, drew the suspicion of the officers, who proceeded to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle. 400 live cartridges were discovered carefully concealed within the bus.

“The suspect initially lied that it was padlocks, but was left speechless when the parcel was opened and the true content was seen. He was immediately arrested, and both he and the exhibit recovered”

Edafe said that the investigation to unravel the source and criminal network behind the illegal arms movement was ongoing.

In another development, the command confirmed the arrest of a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri.

According to Edafe, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one 37-year-old Onos Afokoghene, a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri and adjoining communities.

“Acting promptly on a tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer, Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Oboware, mobilised and led his patrol teams to the identified flashpoint in Jeddo Community, where the suspect and other suspected hoodlums were reportedly engaged in selling and consuming illicit substances.

“Sensing the approach of the police, the suspects attempted to flee, but the team swiftly closed in and arrested the suspect, Onos Afokoghene, after a brief pursuit. A thorough search of the scene led to a startling discovery of illicit substances and paraphernalia used in large-scale drug sales,” he added.

Edafe said exhibits recovered include 3kg of Canadian Loud, 10kg of Indian Hemp, 24 litres of soaked weed suspected to be Indian Hemp, several sachets of Tramadol of various milligrams, and two POS machines suspected of being used for drug sales, among others.

Metro

Islamic Cleric Arrested For Brutalising 10-year-old Boy In Kwara

Published

7 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

An Islamic cleric, identified as Folorunsho Olaoti, has been arrested for allegedly brutalising a 10-year-old boy living with him in the Akerebiata area of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when the cleric allegedly beat the boy mercilessly after accusing him of reporting to his mother that someone had spoken ill of her.

Sources said the Alfa, who is a relative of the boy’s late father, became enraged by the child’s action and subjected him to severe physical assault, leaving him with visible injuries.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the incident, on Sunday, the Secretary of the Child Rights Implementation Committee, Kwara State, Antonia Oshiniwe, said she received a distress call from the victim’s uncle and immediately alerted operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who arrested the suspect on Friday.

“I was informed about the matter by an anonymous source. When I visited the area, I confirmed the incident and reported it immediately to the civil defence.

“The child has been rescued and placed under government protection, while the suspect will be charged in court for child abuse,” Oshiniwe said.

Oshiniwe advised parents to take full responsibility for their children’s welfare, warning against entrusting them to clerics or guardians who may end up maltreating them.

“Parents should learn to keep their children with them and not hand them over to clerics or guardians who may abuse or mistreat them.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kwara State, Ayoola Michael, confirmed the incident, adding that the case was receiving the command’s full attention.

He said, “We have commenced a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served, and our findings will be made public once the process is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the rescued child is said to be receiving medical attention while further legal proceedings against the suspect continue.

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”