Jimoh, a 28-year-old indigene of Lagos State, confessed that he was a member of Eiye Confraternity and was responsible for the murder of many rival cult members.
According to Police authorities, the suspect, who is a trader at the Alaba International Market, was usually hired on contract by traders in the market to intimidate or kill rivals.
The suspect and others at large were said to have killed at least five people in Alaba area of the state in May.
It was learnt that after the killings, the Officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, began an investigation and Jimoh was arrested along with his friend, Ibrahim Oshilomo. After a search of Jimoh’s home, two masks and guns were found.
Jimoh said: I am not an armed robber; I am just a member of Eiye cult. During the market election, one of the contestants gave us N1m to flush out his opponent’s supporters.
On May 22, 2013, we knew that Black Axe (Aiye) members had also been paid to support an opponent. So we knew there would be a fight. I got 15 of my boys and Aiye people attacked us first. But the Eiye boys were able to gun them down.
“Four of them, Chibuzor, Tony, Ayanga and Chinedu; died on the spot. I did not pity them because it was self-defence. As cultists, we only kill those who deserve death and those guys were also evil.
Jimoh, who claimed to be married with three children, said he was not the leader of the cult but the fifth in command. He added that he usually wore the mask in order to avoid being identified by rival cult members.
When asked why he took to cultism, he said: When I was in 300 level, some boys tricked me into following them to a party and gave me something to eat. They said if I did not join them, I would die. I couldn’t cope with school so I left and then became a television trader in the Alaba Market.
The second suspect, Oshilomo, said he also participated in the killing, but was deceived into joining in the operation.
He said: I am also an Eiye member but I belong to Iba branch, not Alaba branch. I only went to buy something in the market on that day when Jimoh said I should escort him somewhere. It was when Aiye boys started shooting at us that I retaliated.
When asked where they usually got their weapons from, Oshilomo said, “Our leader, Falade, aka Elebiti, usually gets the guns for us. His father is a traditional leader in Lagos, so the guns are kept in the palace because we know policemen cannot just go in there to search the place.
“Elebiti travelled out of the country when he learnt of our arrest”. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the arrest to PUNCH on the telephone. Braide said the suspects would soon be charged to court. -
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