Lagos police demolish OPC shrine, arrest 3 suspects

The Lagos State Police Command have uncovered a shrine where members of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) carry out trials by ordeal of suspects, and arrested three persons.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal who led a team of detectives to the shrine located under Opebi Link Bridge on Tuesday, also ordered for the immediate demolition of the structure.

Briefing journalists on the discovery, Edgal disclosed that the shrine was uncovered following credible information from officials of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Security and Safety Corp (LSNSC) who had suspected movement of people in and out of the shrine.

He also stated that preliminary investigation had revealed that some of the victims brought to the shrine were tortured to force them to own up to a particular crime they are being tried for.

Items recovered at the scene also included three POS machine that was believed to have been used to extort money from victims, mobile telephone sets, ATM cards belonging to some victims.

According to the Commissioner of Police, “Based on the information, I had directed a team of undercover policemen led by the DPO Ikeja to mount surveillance around the area. So yesterday officials of the Neighbourhood Security Safely Corps saw a man who was being dragged into the shrine.

“They were attracted to the place by the screaming which they heard coming from the victim. They quickly informed the DPO who moved his men to the scene where three persons were arrested and the victim rescued.

“In as much as we believe in community policing and community partnership, but let me sound a note of warning to any group of persons who may want to take laws into their hands that the command will deal decisively with members of such groups.

“Members of OPC have been helpful to the command in the past. We see them as partners. But as you can see, some group of persons under the guise of OPC have erected an office under the Opebi link bridge where they take people to try them by ordeal.

They also have a shrine here where they take victims to. I believe that they force victims to take oath. We will not tolerate this in any part of the state.

“Three persons have been arrested. One of the victims was freed. We are investigating and all those behind this barbaric act will soon be rounded up. When they are arrested they will be made to face the wrath of the law. ”

Edgal further maintained that nobody or group of persons is allowed by law to detain a person.

“As a law abiding citizen you are only allowed to arrest and after which the suspect is handed over to the police who have the constitutional responsibility to investigate and after which charge the suspect to court.

“What is POS machine doing inside their office? Investigation has revealed that some robbers go about with POS machine. They make their victims to transfer money to their account at gun point. We are going to be thorough in our investigation. We won’t allow any miscreant to run amok in Lagos.

“I have also ordered that the shrine and the office be demolished,” he directed.