A suspected cult leader, Emmanuel Nwokolo, has allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of four rival cult members following his arrest by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command in connection with a string of violent cult-related attacks in Ajangbadi and surrounding communities in Ojo Local Government Area.
Nwokolo, identified by police as a chairman of the Aiye Confraternity, was arrested alongside three other suspects — Ayoola Israel, Ebuka Nnamdi and Chinedu Okafor — during a coordinated operation by the Lagos State Police Command’s Tactical Squad.
The operation was launched on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, following renewed cult clashes and reprisal attacks across the Ajangbadi, Shibiri and Ilogbo axis, areas that have witnessed recurring violence linked to rivalry between cult groups.
Police sources said intelligence gathering and analysis of previous attacks led detectives to Nwokolo, who was tracked to a hotel in Ajangbadi and arrested alongside another suspect. The arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of two other alleged gang members believed to have served as armourers for the group.
Investigators linked the gang to more than 10 killings in the affected communities, while several other suspects identified as David, Emma, Paragon, Fela, Santa and Awilo remain at large.
During interrogation, Nwokolo reportedly admitted membership of the Aiye cult group and confessed to involvement in four killings allegedly carried out against rival cult members.
According to police sources, he told investigators that one of the victims, identified as Soweto, was lured under the guise of a hard-drug transaction before being attacked by members of the gang. He also alleged that other victims were targeted because of their affiliation with rival cult groups.
Nwokolo further claimed that although he participated in the attacks, the incidents continued to haunt him emotionally.
Other arrested suspects denied taking part in killings but admitted varying levels of involvement with the group.
Ayoola Israel, a 39-year-old fisherman, told investigators that he only stored firearms and ammunition for the gang. He claimed he was persuaded to join the group with promises of influence and access to powerful individuals.
According to him, police recovered a revolver pistol and several rounds of ammunition from his residence during the operation.
Another suspect, Ebuka Nnamdi, a warehouse worker at Alaba International Market, admitted being a cult member but denied involvement in violent activities, insisting he only assisted in keeping weapons.
Similarly, Chinedu Okafor, a trader, told police he was initiated into the cult group while visiting relatives in Owerri, Imo State, and denied participating in any killings.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the recovery of two locally made pistols, one revolver pistol and 13 live cartridges from the suspects.
Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, described the arrests as a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle cult networks responsible for killings and violent crimes in parts of Lagos State.
He assured residents that police operatives were intensifying efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and restore lasting peace to the Ajangbadi, Shibiri and Ilogbo communities.
“We are on the trail of other members of the gang. Lagos will not be a safe haven for cultists and violent criminals,” the police commissioner said.
The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.