Investigation: How Ritualist den got uncovered in Lagos
A suspected ritualist den was in the early hours of Tuesday uncovered by residents of the Obadeyi- Ahmadiyya area of Abule- Egba, a suburb in Lagos and one suspects arrested.
The Daily Times gathered that a LAWMA official who heard the voice of a woman crying for help early on Tuesday had rallied and gathered a few persons who trailed where the voice was coming from and discovered a large spacious underground pit where they found trapped victims some of whom were dead and a man seen ragging the lady calling out for help.
According to an eye witness who chose to be anonymous, the part where the den was uncovered is often lonely in the dark.
It is also close to a canal and sometime people dispose refuse there. He said, “we used to see dirty cloths around there but we never suspected anything was going on there. “I live not too far from the bustop and was on my way to work when I saw a mob shouting ritualist ritualist ritualist.
I got closer and saw human bodies. Some decayed and some there parts removed. “It was even later that we heard that there has always been an underground shrine popularly known as Ajele.
I heard the shrine has been for a while but no one know that any form of ritualist activity was ongoing there. It was also learnt that it took several hours to dig out the den where the suspects had hidden their victims.
About two persons were rescued and taken to the hospital as they appeared unconscious. A source also stated that the mode of operation of the ritualist was such that they target pedestrians crossing the road early in the morning or late in the night.
They grab and drag their victims into the hole at a time no one could see them. The crowd that tried to take laws into their hands attempted to lynch the suspect but it proved abortive.
He was set ablaze but it didn’t work, as his cloths were burning but he appeared unhurt due to a charm he had allegedly used.
The suspect was however rescued by some Army personnel who were passing as at the time of the incident. The police however arrived shortly at about 9 am. Heavy traffic was also noticed from Abule-Egba down to Agbado Ijaye, toll gate and Sango Otta as onlookers and mob had taken over the vicinity of the incidence. When contacted to confirm the incident, the Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole said “we have the Area commander Area G on ground and as soon as we get the facts of the incident, we will get back to the press.
It just happened and if you dont allow us to investigate, we won’t get back to you all.”
Joy Anyim
