Ogun lawmaker, 5 others arrested over Sagamu cult clash

A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Sagamu State Constituency 1, Damilare Bello, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a cult clash in the Sagamu area of the state.

The cult clash which occurred in Sagamu last week left many dead and others injured.

It was gathered that the lawmaker was arrested in his premises in the early hours of Thursday, September 21, 2023, alongside five other suspected cultists in connection with the incident.

It was learned that Bello, who was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists, was arrested by a team of security operatives, comprising the officers of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The arrested cultists are Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya, and Tobi Owoade.

READ ALSO: Cult clash: Ogun govt restricts movement in Sagamu

Confirming the incident via a statement, Lekan Adeniran, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, disclosed that the suspects were arrested by the DSS operatives during a sting operation after a tip-off on Thursday.

Adeniran said the secret police had since Wednesday tracked the suspected cultists to the residence of the lawmaker, where he was allegedly providing shelter to the cultists.

He added that the suspects are presently undergoing interrogation in DSS custody after many dangerous weapons, including guns, were recovered from them.

The Star had earlier on Thursday reported that Governor Abiodun declared his administration’s readiness to establish a special court to prosecute cult-related cases.

Abiodun, who made the declaration after a joint security meeting on Wednesday, September 20, said the Ogun State Government would also set up a Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force comprising all major security outfits, with the mandate to rid the state of cultism.

The governor added that the state was also proposing an amnesty programme for cultists who might wish to renounce cultism and surrender their weapons.

It would be recalled that Bello was arrested by DSS operatives in March 2023 for masterminding the violent protest in Sagamu over the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Irate youths, during the protest, vandalised about 10 banks and other public infrastructures.

The Star