Suspects deny killing 65-year-old woman in Lagos

THE Lagos State Police command yesterday paraded eight persons including the suspected kingpin of a notorious cult group that allegedly burnt one Joke Amudat, a 65-year- old woman to death in the Bariga area of the metropolis. The cult group also allegedly murdered two other persons.

In a swift reaction, all the suspects denied being members of any cult group.

The suspected kingpin,Tanimola Ogbere told newsmen that he was neither the leader nor involved in the murder of the woman.

“I am not a kingpin and I don’t know anything about the murder. I have just returned from Ondo State. I swear to God Almighty, I am not a cult member. I am a victim of circumstance.

“I sell sand and I live in Ilaje. I travelled since August for my grand mother’s burial. I used the opportunity to fortify myself against spiritual and physical attacks. I spent 12 calender years in the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons because I fought with someone and I was sent to jail. Since then, I stopped making trouble and went back to my family business, which is sand dredging.

Another suspect, Kayode Dada wants the State Commissioner of Police to wade into the matter.

“I am a conductor. The police arrested me and said I was among the people that burnt a woman to death. I do not know anything about it. The CP should please intervene and not let them kill me for the sin I did not commit. My blood will be on the head of the persons who arrested me. I am innocent and I am not in any cult group.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni earlier said the eight persons including the leader of a cult group Tanimola Ogbere were arrested in connection with the murder of three persons including a 65-year-old woman.

“ Two rival groups were fighting, the groups set ablaze a building and a woman was killed. The police picked seven of them and later arrested one of their leaders and his second in command,” he said.

Owoseni said the suspects would soon be charged to court.