Lagos Police uncovers massive recruitment of youths by cult groups

As the Nigerian Police are battling to curb the activities of cult groups and other forms of criminality in Lagos State, a new set of cult groups, said to be more deadly, have emerged in the State.

The two groups operate under funny names like, “I Need Money” and “Face Lagos”, according to reliable sources. A police source told The Daily Times that membership of the groups cut across the 57 local councils in the state and were reportedly recruiting young people between the ages of 10 and 19 as members.

The discovery came to light when the two groups clashed over their recruitment drive for membership in Itire, Surulere area of Lagos.

Following the fracas, many residents were said to have suffered various degree of injuries and properties including vehicles were destroyed.

The incident happened and spread to adjourning streets like Itelorun, Oshindero, Durojaiye, Smith and beyond. The fracas even spread to Mushin area of Lagos, the source said.

So far, 11 suspects have been arrested from both camps and charged before a Lagos Magistrates court for allegedly forming an illegal organisation and causing violence with dangerous weapons.
The suspects include Jamiu Oguntade (18), Oluwaseun, Olotu, Solomon Igbekoyi, Toheeb Oguntade and Rilwan Raheem – all 19 years old. Others are Ajibola Rafiu (21), Azeez Obatola (24), Raphael Popoola (20), Innocent Okere (21), Gafar Fatai (24) and the oldest and one of the leaders of a group, Jelili Yunusa (30).

It was gathered that the recruitment did not end with school drop outs; it included artisans, apprentices and other set of low income earners who joined the groups in order to make money for survival.

They all pleaded not guilty before Presiding Magistrate, A. O. Ogbe who granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The suspects were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail conditions while the case was adjourned till 30th of June 2017.