Three suspected cultists, were arrested on Monday after they reportedly engaged men of the Ogun State Police Command in a gun battle around Lafenwa in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The suspected cultists were said to be members of the notorious Aiye cult group that had been allegedly terrorising different parts of Abeokuta.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Oyeyemi said, “the suspects, Jonathan Oshinalu, Kola Bolugbe, and Jimoh Aliu a.k.a Alaayan were arrested following an intelligence report received by the SWAT officials on a notorious cult leader simply known as “Ben”.
“He had been involved in several cult clashes leading to the killing of no fewer than five persons.
“The cult leader was holding a nocturnal meeting with his group at Ogun radio, Mile 2 area of Lafenwa, Abeokuta, for the purpose of launching another attack in some parts of the metropolis.
“Upon the report, the SWAT team, in conjunction with men of Lafenwa and Ilupeju divisions moved to the area.
“But on sighting the policemen, Ben and his deadly group engaged them in a gun battle which lasted for about 30 minutes.
“At the end of the encounter, the said Ben escaped with bullet wounds while three among them were apprehended.
“The hoodlums, during the attack, destroyed the patrol vehicle of Lafenwa division before they were subdued by the superior firepower of the police.
“An unregistered Lexus 330 car they used for their operations was also recovered by the SWAT team.”
The PPRO. however, added that the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, had directed a manhunt for the escaped gang leader and other members of his group.
Oyeyemi said, “the CP also ordered a discreet investigation into the activities of the arrested hoodlums with a view of arraigning them in court as soon as possible.”