The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali has ordered his men to shoot on sight any cultist, ritualist or kidnapper caught in the act.
Confirming the directive at the state Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta today while parading 23 suspects, among whom were suspected ritualists, cultists, kidnappers and murderers, Ali said that criminal activities in the state are getting to an alarming rate.
He said that drastic actions needed to be taken to stop them, even as he warned that criminals would no longer be treated with kid gloves.
The police commissioner said: “It is barely 30 days that I assumed office, and I have promised to do my best and I will continue until we get rid of the bad eggs in our society.
“I want to inform you that the issue of cultism and ritualists will not be treated with levity any longer. We have decided and I have given order to my boys to shoot on sight any cultist, ritualist caught perpetrating any of these activities.
“Either armed personally or they are found in group with arms, my men will bring them down.
“We have decided that a cult member would be treated as an armed robber, a murderer.”
Among those paraded were murder and kidnap suspects. They are: Abdulgafar Odunayo, Morufu Olasoji, John Akindumola, Titilayo Olanrewaju, Sakiru Balogun, Jimoh Sikiru and Adesanya Emmanuel.
The suspected cultists are Olupitan Olufemi, Olumide Sogbesan, Mutalibu Seun, Abdulkareem Abiodun, Muyideen Tijani and Idowu Adams. Others were Adedeji Adenuga, Sodiq Surakatu, Jimoh Akapo, Shobande Aanu, Aanu Amusa and Yusuf Oriade.
Also paraded were two suspected ritualists: Fatunbi Rahaman and Hassan Kunle, who were caught with one human skull and assorted charms.
Speaking about the progress made so far on the murder of Iyaloja-General of Ijebuland, Alhaja Saidat Elewuju, the police boss said his men had arrested one suspect, who had already been charged to court. Elewuju was killed on Wednesday, July 8 in her home in Ijebu Ode.
The police boss said that Chief Olasile Ifayemi, who was linked with the abduction of a 20-month- old baby, Opeyemi Ogundele, in Abeokuta, escaped when his men stormed his hideout in Lagos to arrest him. [myad]
