Wale Jagun
The local vigilance group in Ikorodu, ‘Onyabo’, on Thursday, March 5, 2020, made a major breakthrough in containing the menace of cultism and killings that have eaten deeply into the fabric of Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, as a kingpin of one of the cult groups, Saka Gbegira, was arrested.
He was arrested at Itunpate after he allegedly killed one Moses Eromosele, 25, from Edo State.
Gbegira was allegedly arrested with a gun used in killing Moses at Kokoro-Abu on Thursday.
Cult activities have been disturbing the social and economic lives of Ikorodu Division residents for some years as members of rival cult groups engage themselves in frequent deadly attacks which had claimed hundreds of lives.
According to report gathered, Gbegira is being held at the Ipakodo office of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) while investigation was said to be ongoing for his arraignment in court.
Confirming the arrest to THE IMPACT, Akogun Lanre Olabinjo, the Deputy leader, Onyabo Vigilance Group, said that Gbegira was arrested with some other cult kingpins.
It was also gathered that Aloma Idris, Akeem Kerike, Junior and Computer are other suspected Eiye cult members that participated in the killing of Moses.
Furthermore, we also learnt that one Idris, a suspected Axe confraternity member, killed a suspected Eiye member, Di Maria, at Itunmeko junction in Ikorodu earlier on that Thursday.
While it is being rumoured that the Kokoro-Abu killing may be in retaliation of the murder of Di Maria, investigation so far, we gathered, revealed that the victim, Moses, did not belong to any of the rival cult groups .
According to Onyabo vigilance group and other sources, Gbegira had been placed under strict security surveillance for about a month after he allegedly led his squad to kill a suspected Axe member behind the Ayangbure palace at Solomade.
Wife of the murdered Axe member was said to have witnessed the killing.
Meanwhile, a joint manhunt of the Onyabo vigilance group and other security agencies in Ikorodu is said to be on the trail of another notorious Axe leader popularly known and called 70.
Also under serious surveillance are Derbie, Anyarin and other gang leaders who have allegedly killed many members of other rival cult groups.
He was alleged to have killed suspected Eiye members, Fast money and Eti at Ojurowo about two weeks ago.
According to security sources, 70 has been responsible for many other killings in and around Ikorodu.
A source told THE IMPACT that he was nearly apprehended about two weeks ago when the hotel he was hiding was surrounded by security men but he managed to escape through the rear fence.
Also under surveillance are Derbie, Anyarin and other gang leaders who are allegedly responsible for the killings of many members of other rival cult groups.
Many of these suspects, according to report, have fled Ikorodu to their various hideouts in other parts of Lagos State as well as Ogun State.
