Policemen Accused of Complicity in Bariga Cult Killing

Alleged cultists on Sunday stabbed one Osondu Boobu, 25, to death in Bariga. The incident happened at the Famous Bus Stop in the Pedro area of Bariga local government council in Lagos.

According to an eye witness, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, Osondu left his home at about 7.30 p.m. and got to Famous Hotel at 8 p.m. The young man, who resided with his parents at 30 Ayinke Street, is said to have died from stab wounds at around 10 p.m.

“When he (Osondu) entered the bar, he met some members of the Eiye confraternity, who asked him for money. His refusal to give them money infuriated them and they accused him of being a member of Aiye, a rival cult, claiming to have seen him sitting with members of the Aiye at Ladylak area of the estate.

“The Eiye cult members namely Bonjeu, Arinze, Ahmed and one Feso, Ayo and Akilapa, were all in the hotel bar. They stabbed him (Osondu) many times and he ran away from the hotel to get help (sic).

“There were two police officers at the scene of the stabbing with the Famous Hotel manager Yinka, who also has a bird tattooed on his arm. The policemen, one Owolabi and a Corporal Sanni – formerly with the Pedro Police Station and now of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), were together with the cultists when the incident happened,” said the witness.

The eyewitness added that the bleeding Osondu ran outside the hotel, and was able to get assistance from a tricycle rider who took him to the Ladylak Hospital where he was rejected and referred to the General Hospital at Somolu.

“On their way back (from Ladylak Hospital), Corporal Sanni stopped the tricycle driver and asked that the bleeding Osondu be brought down from the Keke Napep (tricycle taxis) at the Famous Bus Stop. He now ordered that they go and call his mother to come and carry her son as he  has denied him urgent medicare. Before the mother could come to the scene to take him away, Osondu died,” the witness explained.

Rising spate of cult activities

Residents of the Somolu area say they are worried about rising incidents of cult killing in the area.

A resident who simply gave his name as Jimoh said: “For some time now, places like the Arena Club at Jibowu have been known as hideouts of the Eiye cultists as the Arena is to Aye. The manager is a member and some policemen, notably Owolabi and Pepper have been accused of being members of the Eiye group and are always supporting them.”

This morning, as sympathisers gathered to mourn Osondu’s death, policemen came to dislodge them, firing shots in the air. In the ensuing confusion, it was reported that a boy hit his head against a wall and died on the spot.