Police Arrest 31 Awawa Cultists in Agege

As parts of the efforts by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state and its environs, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), of the state Police Command, has apprehended 31 suspects said to be members of notorious gang, Awawa Confraternity.

The group was said to have, in the past, been terrorizing innocent residents at Agege and its environs in Lagos state.

The police team swooped on the arrested suspects at different locations including O Talisco Hotel along Dopemu road, Bakare Ipiasha Street Agege, Ile-Zik and Mangoro along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The policemen responded to the tip-off from the popular Yoruba programme titled" Edakun Iwa-Odaran" (Stop act of crime) on a particular radio station in Lagos, reporting that some group of boys were making lives difficult and uneasy for the residents of Agege, Mangoro, Dopemu and its environs.

According to investigation, the members of the Confraternity were so dangerous and feared by all residents in the area.

"Upon intelligent report received through the popular Yoruba programme, which was further confirmed and authenticated by notable individuals living within the area, our men immediately busted the areas mentioned on the programme and its environs with 15 RRS patrol vans where 31 suspects were apprehended including 4 under aged while others still at large" the RRS said.

However, the 4 underaged were released after the police thoroughly interrogated them about their missions at the point of arrest with the dreaded group.

"On arrival at Task office, Alausa four (4) suspects who are under aged and could give satisfactory account of themselves were released", the Police said.

Meanwhile, the remaining twenty-seven (27) who looked so dreaded and could not provide the police with satisfactory account of themselves and their means of livelihood will be charged to court immediately.

The Commander of RRS, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olatunji Disu, who confirmed the arrest of the notorious group members, warned parents and guardians to be watchful of their wards and children's behaviours while at tender age as charity begins at home.

Olatunji reiterated that such was in line with the commitment of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, to free the state from all forms of criminal and cult activities.