By Olasunkanmi Akoni

THE Lagos State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cultists involved in a supremacy battle in Bariga area of the state last Saturday, which led to the death of a 65-year-old woman, Mrs Adejoke Adefuye.

Tragedy occurred in the early hours of the said Saturday when suspected cult members allegedly attacked some residents in Bariga area of Lagos setting the woman ablaze in the process.

Trouble was said to have started when members of Eiye  confraternity, led by one Ibrahim Balogun, clashed with another rival cult group known as Aiye confraternity, led by one Gideon, in a supremacy fight at the area.

The cultists, according to reports, vandalized some vehicles parked along the road in the area, while two members of the Aiye confraternity, known as Bobo and Abayomi Olubola lost their lives in the fracas.

According to an eyewitness, the building located at number 19, Oshinfolarin Street, Bariga was allegedly set ablaze by the rampaging cultists at about 9:00am.

A statement issued, yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dolapo Badmus confirmed the arrest of the cultists, as well as recovery of some weapons used to carry out the operation.

The arrested suspects include: Afeez Olaide Fagunwa, Nurudeen Lateef, Richard Ewa, Richard Abayomi, Mohammed Musa, Kayode Dada and Adams Adelakun.

Badmus said the second-in-command of one of the cult groups was among those arrested, while three power bikes, one live cartridge and a tricycle popularly known as Keke Marwa used to get to the scene were also confiscated.

The Police spokesperson said the cultists have been terrorizing the area for some days noting that they were able to make some arrests due to the quick response to the distress calls received concerning the fracas.

Badmus said that the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Gbagada General Hospital for autopsy by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEMHU.

She stated that further investigation into the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

How victim was burnt

It was gathered that the cultists, during the attack, trapped the occupants inside and set the building on fire. But the victim was unlucky to be caught in the fire and was burnt to death.

General Manager of LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, while confirming the incident, said, “A 65 years old woman, identified as Adejoke Adefuye was burnt beyond recognition in one of the rooms. She was the only mortality recorded and has been taken to a morgue by SEHMU, but other occupants of the building sustained minor injuries that have been treated by LASAMBUS.”