29-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Secret Cult Membership

A 29-year-old man, Tobiloba Ogunbo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for being a member of a secret cult, following a ruling by the Ogun Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta.

Ogunbo, who had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, involvement in an unlawful society, and causing a public disturbance, was found guilty by Magistrate O.L. Oke. The court ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove Ogunbo’s involvement, leading to the conviction.

The court also noted that the convict will serve his sentence without the option of a fine.

Prosecutor Inspector Olaide Rawlings told the court that Ogunbo and several associates had injured a man, identified as Mr. Anu, during a confrontation in the Sabo area of Abeokuta on January 19, 2024. Following an investigation, Ogunbo was arrested, and he confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

The charges against Ogunbo violated Sections 45(b), 34, 36, and 37 of the Secret Cults Prohibition and Special Provisions Law of Ogun 2016.

Police Nab Three Suspected Kidnappers After N3 Million Ransom in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers involved in a ransom operation after collecting N3 million from the family of their victim.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. According to Hundeyin, the Isashi Police Division received a distress call around noon on Tuesday, reporting the abduction of an individual by unknown assailants in the Oke Moro area of Isashi.

Responding swiftly, police officers arrived at the scene, where they rescued a 24-year-old male victim and apprehended the three suspects.

“Initial investigations revealed the suspects had beaten the victim and demanded a ransom of N2 million, which the victim’s mother paid into two separate bank accounts,” Hundeyin said. He further explained that the suspects also forced the victim to transfer N1 million from his bank account and took his three Nigerian international passports, among other valuables.

The police are continuing their investigation and are working to apprehend others involved who managed to flee the scene.

Man Detained for Allegedly Killing Neighbour’s 4-Year-Old Daughter While She Slept

A 30-year-old man has been arrested by the police in Enugu State for the alleged murder of his neighbour’s four-year-old daughter as she slept in her family’s home.

According to a statement from DSP Daniel Ndukw, spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, the suspect was apprehended on August 18 after police officers from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad responded to a distress call from a compound on Orba Road in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The young girl was found lifeless and was later confirmed dead at the hospital. Her remains have since been deposited in the mortuary.

The police recovered a knife allegedly used in the murder, along with suspected hemp and a charm believed to belong to the suspect.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, a resident of the same compound, initially tried to attack other neighbours before entering the apartment where the child was sleeping. He reportedly slit her throat after her mother had fled to protect her other children.

The suspect admitted to the crime, claiming he was under the influence of hemp, methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), and an alcoholic drink, Action Bitters. He also confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and admitted to a previous murder in Jos during a cult clash in 2022.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu, condemned the act as barbaric, offering condolences to the victim’s family and vowing to ensure swift justice. The suspect will face charges upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Uzuegbu urged residents to remain vigilant and take note of the behaviors of those living around them to prevent such senseless acts.