Ogun Police arrest 22 cultists, warn motorcycle unions against disturbance
CP Lanre Bankole
Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a clandestine move by some disgruntled elements to infiltrate the motorcycle unions and cause a breach of public peace in the state.
Spokesperson for the state’s command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement yesterday, said the group is claiming to be a fraction of a legally recognised motorcycle union in the state without any legal backing.
According to him, in view of this, the command wishes to reiterate its commitment to maintaining peace and order as well as protection of life and property of the good and law-abiding citizens of the state.
He stressed that only motorcycle unions that passed through the normal legislative procedures are legally recognised in the state.
They are; the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association Of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Articulated Motorcycle Riders Association Of Nigeria (AMORAN) and Rider and Owner of Motorcycle organisation (ROMO)
He said: “Anybody or group claiming to be a faction of any of the above-mentioned unions with the aim of causing pandemonium in the state will face the full weight of the law.
“As an organisation saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order, we will not fold our arms while some faceless group will be making life difficult for the good people of the state.
“The command assured the people of the state of adequate security at all times while going about their lawful
businesses.
MEANWHILE, a special operation squad set up by the command to checkmate recent cult-related clashes in Abeokuta and parts of the state has arrested no fewer than 22 cultists in different parts of the state.
The arrested cultists, who have affirmed their membership of Aye and Eiye confraternities were apprehended, when the squad stormed their hideouts at Mayas in Lafenwa and Oju Ogabra in Sapon area of Abeokuta.
Some of the suspects were also apprehended in Sagamu during a similar operation.
The Guardian learnt that all the arrested suspects are currently being investigated to ascertain their roles in the cult war that engulfed the state recently, which claimed the life of some cult members.
The state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, commended the quick response of the squad and urged them to take the battle to the doorsteps of all known cultists in the state.
He appealed to members of the public to always cooperate with the team by giving them necessary information that will enhance their operation since security is everybody’s business.
The squad, whose operation will be coordinated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) department of operations, is saddled with responsibility for quick response to any cult-related issues and will be operating 24 hours a day.
The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, had while addressing the squad, mandated them to fish out members of the trouble-making cult groups in any part of the state and deal with them in accordance with the provision of the law.
The CP, who described the activities of the cult groups as unacceptable, directed the squad to clamp down on any known member of such groups, saying the command will not fold her hands while disgruntled elements will be making life unbearable for the law-abiding citizens of the state.
The police commissioner also urged parents and guardians to call their wards to order as the battle against cultists is going to be vicious in days to come.
He warned cultists in the state to relocate or be ready to face the onslaught that is going to be visited on them by the newly created squad and other conventional policemen in the state.
While assuring law-abiding citizens of their safety, Bankole appealed to the general public to inform the police whenever they noticed any strange gathering suspected to be that of cultists in their vicinity with the assurance that such information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
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