Police bust 250 Awawa boys

…robbers, forgers nabbed

By OKOSUN DENNIS & IFEOMA IKEM

AS the activities of Awawa cult group is gaining dominance in Agege, a suburb of Lagos, so also the state police command are clipping their wings.

In the last couple of months, the Rapid Response Squad have arrested no fewer than 250 members in a renewed effort to free the state from the shackles of Awawa cult group and other cultists that are making life intolerable for citizens.

Joseph Asue, a 26-year from Ogoja, from Cross Rivers state said, “I used to be a member of Awawa boys but have resigned from being member. I have repented and renounced my membership of Awawa. I was not given any mark as a member but did the tattoo myself not as a member but for fashion purposes. I don’t kill and has never killed anybody,” he lamented.

Sule Otakpor, from Agege local government area of Lagos state said he was tortured by the police to confess that he was a member of Awawa secret cult. “I am a Keke Marwa rider. I am not Awawa cult member.”

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But when asked how he came about having Awawa tattoo, he could not utter a word.

Toyin Kafilat, a 15-year hawker at Oshodi narrated how she was arrested by the Lagos state Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Task Force. She denied being a member of Awawa despite visible tattoo on her hands and close to her eye lashes.

She explained, “I am not Awawa” weeping profusely. “Six of us (girls) were arrested by the police and only two of are here now. The police have released the others.”

On the Awawa mark on her face and tattoo on her hand, she explained that she was roped in by Joseph Asue that anyone that has that mark is Awawa member.

“My parents are at Oshodi and my father is a member of NURTW,” Kafilat further stressed.
Rasidi Afolabi rides Marwa at Ogba but claimed to have been looking for fuel to buy when he was arrested.

“I was arrested at Wamco road about 5:30am by RRS because I have tattoo on my body. I was looking for fuel when they arrested me. I live in Ogun state and have had this tattoo since 2008.

He claimed a tattoo is a common fashion in Nigeria now, though regretted having it.

The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni who said the police have made modest achievements in the past one month despite the unfortunate clash between the Hausa and the Yoruba at Mile 12. He added that the force have emplaced different strategies that are being sustained and constantly reviewed with a view of denying criminals of carrying out their nefarious activities.

Parading different gangs of criminals at the State Police Command, CP Owoseni explained that early this month, operatives of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation (DCII) Yaba arrested seven fraudsters who specialise in forging and printing fake documents.

The fraudsters identified as Gbenga Olawale, Okanlawan Abdullahi, Shakiru Atoyebi, Mojeed Ahmed, Sarah Otun (female) Akeem Adeyemi and Usman Olajide had in their possession 5, 000 copies of General Trust Insurance Company papers; 1, 000 copies of Mutual Benefit Assurance papers; 1, 200 copies of allocation registration papers; 2, 500 copies of Kano state Internal Revenue documents, 2, 000 copies of Motor vehicle documents; 71 copies of Auto-Reg papers; six number plates used in changing vehicle plate numbers to evade arrest and five rubber stamps.

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Also arrested were a four-man gang of armed robbers who specialise in diverting container. Among them, a 30-year old, Charles Chinonso, from Abia state confessed what he knew about the crime. He explained that as a motor boy, he was attracted to the container of tyre after delivery at the main market in Onitsha Anambra state because of the financial benefit. I was promised N150, 000 by one Mr Eze when I come back.

He added that they were on the verge of accomplishing the journey when they were apprehended as the vehicle developed fault. Chinonso, who just had his first child two months ago, and claimed to be a dispatch rider with attractive salary blamed his involvement on greed.

Owoseni, said 26 armed robbers were arrested with one dead during gun encounter with the police; and 50 Awawa cultists arrested. He added that the police also recovered 11 arms; 49 live cartridges; and 20 vehicles. While raiding criminal hideouts, 981 suspects were picked; 113 were screened out, 868 charged to court while 313 were convicted. Also, 57 were discharged and 298 are awaiting trial. It was also learnt that 720 motorcycles were impounded for plying restricted roads acrss the state. CP Owoseni implored parents to monitor their children and to ensure that children do not get involved with criminals.