Task Force nabs 26 Awawa cult gang in Agege, 64 miscreants in Oshodi

LAGOS State Task Force said its operatives over the weekend arrested 26 dreaded Awawa cult gang in Agege and 64 miscreants at Oshodi, disclosing further that dangerous weapons and substance suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered in some of the operations.

Task Force Chairman, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this in a release made available by the spokesperson of the agency, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, saying that these 26 dreaded ‘Awawa’ cult gang members were arrested during an over-night enforcement operation tagged ‘Operation Restore Sanity to Lagos.’

According to him, the operation was carried out around Isale-Oja, Funmilayo, Ile-Pako at Amoo, Orile by cannal, Papa-Ashafa, Dopemu and Old Oko-Oba in Agege.

The chairman disclosed further that criminal activities perpetrated by these various cult groups particularly the dreaded ‘Awawa’ cult gang had become a serious threat to lives of residents and innocent members of the public around the area.

He said it was an eye-sore seeing these miscreants and cultists robbing, raping and freely smoking Indian hemp with underage boys and girls during day time and at night.

Speaking further, Egbeyemi disclosed that another 64 miscreants and hoodlums, including three female teenagers, were arrested during over-night raid around Oshodi, saying that dangerous weapons and substance suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them.

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“These miscreants and hoodlums were those attacking/breaking motorists windscreen and disturbing innocent members of the public by dispossessing them of their valuables such as phones, wallets and jewellery around Oshodi.

“It is disheartening that most parents have abdicated their responsibility towards their children as youths are now found to be deeply involved in gangsterism.

“Honestly, most of the violent crime committed across the state were perpetrated by youths who lack parental care and joined cultism to avoid being intimidated by their peers,” he lamented.

According to Egbeyemi, ‘Operation Restore Sanity to Lagos’ would be a continuous exercise and extended to every other area known to be inhabited by these undesirable elements across the state, saying that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu, had directed that all those arrested be charged to court for prosecution.

In a related development, the Task Force boss said the agency dislodged more than 1,500 illegal traders and impounded 96 motorcycles popularly called Okada for plying restricted routes around Igando.

“They were dislodged by the Agency to pave ways for the free flow of traffic as there were serious complaints by residents and motorists about the newly constructed roads being taken over by activities of these illegal traders.

“Strategically, this unusual and very risky trading practice has led to the death of some traders especially those who were not quick enough to depart the scene of reckless drivers,” he said.

He maintained that in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws, it was completely unlawful for anyone to hawk, buy or sell goods on railway tracks, road-setbacks, walk-ways and drainage alignment across the State.