Six schoolboys arrested during cult clash

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six teenagers for alleged involvement in a cult clash in the Lagos Island area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the six boys – whose ages ranged from 14 to 15 – were apprehended around Campos Square by policemen from the Lion Building division.

It was gathered that the boys, from whom the police recovered axes, knives and machetes, were allegedly going for a reprisal on a rival cult when they were rounded up.

The suspects – whose names were not disclosed by the police – were said to have been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigations, Yaba.

A police source at the SDCI told PUNCH Metro that the parents of the schoolboys had been invited, adding that the parents claimed they were unaware that their children were members of a cult.

He said, “The six suspects were lurking around the Campos Square, where the rival gang members were expected to pass. The oldest among them is 15 years. They started the cult war in January and it had been attacks and reprisals since then. When the police got the tip-off, the boys were arrested.

“Their matter has got to the Commissioner of Police. The CP wants us to adopt alternative dispute resolution because the boys are too small to be detained. The parents of the six have been invited and they all claimed that they did not know their children were in a cult. Although the boys were warned and granted bail, they have been given days to come back for inspection.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed the incident.

He added that the new cults children on the Lagos Island were joining had been identified as Happiness and Owonikoko groups.

He said, “It is a disturbing trend and that is why the police want parents to be vigilant. The children, whose ages ranged from 13 to 15, got involved in street fights and cultism.

“As a result of their ages, we cannot reveal their identities to the public, but parents must be watchful how children sneak out of their presence, particularly in the evenings. Two groups, which these boys belonged to, have been identified. They are Happiness and Owonikoko groups.

“Therefore, when parents hear their children mention these names, they should know that their children are referring to cults.”

Meanwhile, the police from the Alagbado division on Friday arrested a suspected robber, Ojo Idowu, in the Oke Ola area while he was allegedly on an operation.

The police said one locally-made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from the suspect after a search.

Our correspondent gathered that Idowu, who was reported by one of his victims, had been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest, adding that investigation was ongoing into the matter.

source: punch