Pat Steven/
Suspected members of the Ned Black Movement aka Black Axe Confraternity have been captured by the police in Lagos.
The state commissioner of police (CP), Mr. Imohimi Edgal, called on parents and guardians to be more interested in what their children and wards do as he paraded the suspects at the police headquarters in Ikeja today.
He said, “Remember the popular saying ‘To be forewarned is to be forearmed’. This Command had on Thursday, 5th July 2018, warned cultists preparing to observe their sacred day called the “7th day of the 7th month” not to converge on any part of the State. We also encouraged good Nigerians to give information about these group of persons anywhere they are seen.
“Based on the credible intelligence available to the Command and which was communicated to the Officer-in-Charge, Anti Cultism, the following suspects numbering 120 were arrested at Ikorodu where they were observing 7” 7”, undergoing initiation in preparation to unleash mayhem on the larger society.”
Edgal added that the suspects’ efforts to deceive the police in the guise of celebrating a birthday was uncovered by detectives who swooped on them before they could begin the initiation of new members.
“Despite our warning, they thought they can deceive us by converging in the guise of celebrating a birthday but we were not deceived as we got wind of their activities and they were subsequently arrested,” he said.
Some of the suspects were identified as Nifemi Fadairo, Okunlew Habibat, Musiliu Taiwo, Olanike Lasisi, Sulimon Kabiru, Olarenwaju Zainab, Oyedele Elizabeth, Alima Olowu, Abosede Popoola and Ebele Joseph.
Others were identified as Onuwka Uchena, 28; Olawaseyi Elijah, 38; Abayomi Opeyemi, 30; Boluwatife Akionla, 18, and Henry Ikuesan, 25.
Items allegedly recovered from the suspects included: One big banner with Black Axe logo; a yellow keg containing three litres of a liquid substance suspected to be ‘skuchies’; six small kegs containing ‘skuchies’; one big clay pot; two small calabashes, and one locally made cut-to-size pistol.
According to Edgal, the suspects would be charged to court at the completion of investigation into the case.
Other cultists arrested from Ogombo axis are: Aro Abisola; Chukwudi Robeth; Alex John; Gbolagade Taofik; Ahmed Semiu; Peter Okangbuah; Yusuf Mudashiru; Bidemi Odofin, and Lukman Akinjobi.
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