The Lagos State Police Command says it has apprehended a notorious cultist identified as “Maliki”, who is the ‘Supreme Leader’ of a cult group known as Berry Boys.
According to a Sunday statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Bala Elkana, Maliki’s Berry Boys have been terrorising Itire area and its environs.
He said that the 22-year-old suspect has been on the police wanted list for murder, public disturbances and gangsterism.
“On February 4, at about 7.20 am, following sustained monitoring, operatives from Itire police station led by the divisional police officer, SP Barkfur Kromkyes, arrested Maliki, 22.
“Maliki is the supreme leader of the notorious Berry boys secret cult with operational base at Itire. He is a native of Lalopun, Kwara State but resides at 23 Ayinla Street, Idiaraba area of Lagos,” the statement read in part.
The suspect was said to have been picked up alongside 11 members of his gang.
Elkana said that the ‘Supreme Leader’ has confessed to being responsible for series of violent attacks, murders and armed robberies recorded in Idiaraba, Lawanson, Dosunmu, Ashimowo Bakare, Omo-Bola Mushin and Itire areas.
“The suspect told detectives that, he was initiated into the cult at age 12 when he was in Junior Secondary School (JSS1). He later rose to the number one position, mostly addressed as the Supreme Leader of the Berry Boys confraternity.
“The gang has an official Facebook page (Bbl Baloteli) with 1,928 friends. According to Maliki, they use the Facebook page and other social media accounts to recruit new members, plan attacks and give updates to members.
“Investigation led to the arrest of 11 additional suspects,” the police spokesman said.
He reiterated the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu’s avowed commitment to ridding the state of cultism and youth gangsterism in Lagos.
“The onslaught on social miscreants launched by the Commissioner of Police is intelligence-driven, targeting mostly the leaders of the gangs and cult groups and blocking the channels through which they recruit young people.
“The Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants has successfully brought under control the activities of various cults and gangs in the state through well-coordinated and targeted operations.
“The onslaught will be sustained until they are totally defeated,” Elkana said.
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