On 04/02/2020 at about 1920hours, following a sustained monitoring, Operatives from Itire Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Barkfur Kromkyes arrested one Maliki Bello ‘m’ 22 years old. Maliki is the supreme leader of the notorious Berry Boys Secret Cult with operational base at Itire. He is a native of Lalopun, Kwara State but resides at 23 Ayinla street Idiaraba area of Lagos state. Maliki has been on the wanted list of the Police for violent crimes and gang clashes. The suspect confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murders and armed robberies incidents recorded in Idiaraba, Lawanson, Dosunmu, Ashimowo Bakare, Omo-Bola Mushin and Itire. The suspect told detectives that, he was initiated into the cult at age 12 when he was in Junior Secondary School (JSS1). He later rose to the number one position, mostly addressed as the supreme leader of the berry boys confraternity. The gang has an official Facebook page (Bbl Baloteli) with 1,928 friends. According to Maliki, they use the Facebook page and other social media accounts to recruit new members, plan attacks and give updates to members. Investigation led to the arrest of 11 additional suspects.

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc has further reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to address the menace of cultism and youth gangsterism in Lagos State. The onslaught on social miscreants launched by the Commissioner of Police is intelligence driven, targeting mostly the leaders of the gangs and cult groups and blocking the channels through which they recruit young people. The Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants has successfully brought under control the activities of various cults and gangs in the State through well coordinated and targeted operations. The onslaught will be sustained until they are totally defeated. 

2. Man arrested for attempting to kill his wife in Lagos
On 2/2/2020 at about 1730hrs, Operatives from Bariga Police Station arrested one Christopher Lament ‘m’ 45 years at No 23 Jossy Castro Street Lagos for attempting to kill his wife, Comfort Christopher ‘f’ of the same adress with a knife. The woman was rescued by the Police following a distress call received. The knife was recovered and registered as exhibit. The couples were married for 13 years and blessed with two children, ages 11 and 9. Both are from Akwa Ibom State. The suspect lost his banking job 5years ago and the woman is not working. The couples were having series of crisis underpinned on matrimonial rascality and lack of maintenance. The event that led to the attempt made by the suspect to stab the victim with a knife, started with a mere argument. Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to Court.

3. Teenager arrested by patrol team at third mainland bridge for shop breaking and stealing
On 6/2/2020 at about 0715hrs, Police from Bariga received an information that a shop belonging to one Faruk Nobi ‘m’ of No 287 Boboreji market Lagos Island was burgled. The suspect, Isiaka Olalekan ‘m’ 19years old was intercepted by Policemen patrolling the third mainland bridge. Four different types of expensive Mobile phones were recovered from the suspects and shop breaking implements. The suspect, who turns out to be the new employee of the complainant, confessed to have stolen the phones from his boss’s shop. The suspect will be charged to Court. The Police team on the third mainland bridge deployed by the Commissioner of Police as part of the Command’s measures to curb traffic robbery and to prevent suicide.

DSP Bala Elkana
Police Public Relations Officer,
Lagos State.

February 9, 2020