Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
The police in Lagos State have arrested a
16-year-old suspected cultist, Rilwan Okegbenro, for allegedly killing a
man, Olawale Adebayo, who resided in Imosun in the Ikorodu area of the
state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that
Okegbenro, who confessed to being a cultist and gave no fixed address,
was apprehended on Wednesday by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad during a raid in the area.
Our correspondent gathered that the raid
was jointly carried out by the policemen and some local vigilance group
members on black spots in the Sabo, Odogunyan and Igbogbo areas of
Ikorodu.
It was learnt that 18 suspects were arrested during the exercise.
Okegbenro told the police in his
statement that he and two other gang members participated in the killing
of 22-year-old Adebayo.
He said, “Two others, who are on the
run, and I attacked the man behind a bank on Sagamu Road in the Ikorodu
area. It was a Wednesday. We trailed him and my gang killed him. The man
used to live at Imosun Close, Ikorodu.”
Our correspondent learnt that the
brother of the deceased, identified as Ismaila Balogun, had also come to
the police and identified Okegbenro as one of his brother’s attackers
on that day.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP
Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Okegbenro’s arrest. She added that the police
had launched a manhunt for the suspect’s fleeing gang members.
She said, “The raid was carried out on
black spots in the Ikorodu area. In the process, Okegbenro, of no fixed
address, was arrested. He has confessed to being a cult member and to
have also participated in the killing of one Olawale Adebayo.
“The command has launched a manhunt for
his fleeing accomplices – Ahmed and Taoreed. Investigation is still
ongoing. The state command will continue to clamp down on criminals to
make the state a safe place.”
Meanwhile, the police have also arrested
a fake army sergeant, Ganiyu Tijani, at the Agric bus stop in the
Ikorodu area of the state.
It was learnt that Tijani, who hails
from Kaduna State, allegedly stood at the bus stop to collect illegal
fees from motorists and motorcyclists in the area.
Our correspondent gathered that the fake
soldier was arrested on Wednesday during a raid on the area by
policemen attached to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and
Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit.
According to the police, 32 miscreants were also arrested, some of who engaged the officials in a fracas at the bus stop.
The Public Affairs Officer of the task force, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed Tijani’s arrest.
He said, “The fake soldier is to be
charged to court for impersonation, collection of illegal levies and
touting. We also impounded 54 motorcycles at the bus stop.
“We warn motorcyclists plying Ikorodu,
Ketu and other restricted routes across the state, and vehicles causing
obstructions on roads to comply with the Lagos State Road Traffic Law of
2012 or they would have their motorcycles and vehicles impounded by the
task force.”
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