• Warn schoolgirls against cultism, drug abuse in Cross River

Police operatives in Lagos, Delta and Osun states have arrested 12 suspects in separate operations targeting alleged cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities, while their counterparts in Cross River State have intensified efforts to prevent youth involvement in crime through school-based sensitisation.

The operations led to the recovery of locally made firearms, ammunition, suspected criminal charms, illicit drugs and other items, according to police statements.

In Lagos, four suspected cultists allegedly linked to criminal activities in Lekki, Ajah and Elemoro were arrested between October 2 and 9.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adebisi Abimbola, identified the suspects as Olumagba Ifatope, 29; Arisekola Ojo, 32; Oluwatobi Oyewole, 29; and Oluwaseyi Odunewu, 32.

She said a search of Odunewu’s residence led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun.

According to her, the suspects made useful statements, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the case and recover additional firearms.

In Delta State, the police arrested two men in separate operations.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said operatives of the Quick Response Squad arrested a 37-year-old man, Adogbeji Johnson, popularly known as Highman, in Abraka on October 10.

He said intelligence reports had linked Johnson to the Black Axe Confraternity, also known as Aiye, as well as alleged cultism and armed robbery.

A search of his Toyota Sienna reportedly yielded a locally made cut-to-size firearm, two live cartridges and a cutlass.

In a separate operation at Ubulunor, a 20-year-old man, Musa Mohammed, was arrested by operatives of the State Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with other security personnel and local vigilantes.

The police said two live cartridges and one expended cartridge were recovered during the operation. They, however, did not disclose details of the alleged kidnapping or confirm whether a victim had been rescued.

In Osun State, six suspected cultists were arrested during intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts in Osogbo.

The suspects were identified as Ajibade Lateef, 21; Olaniyi Kabiru, 27; Ifaleke Ifedeji, 18; Tajudeen Wasiu, 35; Abideen Babatunde, 35; and Opeyemi Lukman, 18.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspects were allegedly members of the Eiye Confraternity and part of a gang accused of terrorising residents around Mackay Junction.

He said suspected criminal charms, illicit drugs and cash were recovered during the raids, adding that the suspects had been charged to court.

While the three commands pursued enforcement operations, the Cross River State Police Command focused on prevention, taking its anti-crime campaign to schoolgirls in Calabar.

At Holy Child Girls Secondary School, Calabar, the police sensitised students on child rights, cultism, drug abuse, truancy and negative peer pressure during a programme organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The state POCACOV coordinator, ASP Isiwu Marvellous, urged the students to resist attempts by adults or senior students to lure them into cultism and other harmful activities.

She encouraged them to develop self-discipline, build confidence and make responsible choices.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, said early intervention and public enlightenment were essential to preventing crime.

“The best way to police is to catch them young and educate them before criminals deceive them. We will not wait until they join cult groups or start using drugs before we act,” he said.

The command distributed exercise books to the students, who pledged to shun cultism and drug abuse.

The school principal, Rev. Sr. Maria, commended the initiative and urged the police to extend the programme to other schools.