A ritualists’
den was, yesterday, uncovered at Ogolonto area of Ikorodu Lagos, with at least
eight victims, said to have been kidnapped from different parts of the country,
rescued.
One of the
victims, a 52-year‑old man, who identified himself simply as Onwurah, alleged
that his wife had a hand in his kidnap, saying he had spent two years in the
enclave.
The den was
uncovered following a foiled attempt by a mother of four to take one of her
victims, a seven year‑old boy, to the den.
It was gathered that the woman identified as Mrs
Rosemary Chukwu, who resides at 33, Omologede Street, behind C&S Primary
School, allegedly abducted the seven-year‑old primary school pupil, Emmanuel
Emeka, on his way to fetch water from a public well at about 6.30 a.m.
Chukwu was
alleged to have kept the boy inside her toilet and engaged her four children in
a prayer session, apparently to prevent her co‑tenants from hearing the
abducted boy’s cry for help.
How Emeka was
rescued
Meanwhile, back in
the abducted boy’s home, located four buildings from his captors, his mother
became apprehensive over his unusual delay. She was said to have raised alarm
which caused residents to conduct a search round the neighborhood for Emeka.
Eye witnesses
told Vanguard that Chukwu even
went out and suggested areas where the search party could search for the
missing boy. She was said to have been sighted with a suitcase on her head,
accompanied by her children.
An eye witness,
who gave his name as Oyetoye Gbemi, said: “She told us she was travelling to
the village. But one of the area boys who
was among the search party, ordered his colleagues to search the box.
“Immediately she
heard that, she flung the box away and took to her heels. We all suspected
something was amiss. When the box was opened, Emmanuel was found inside, half
dead.
“The area boys descended on her and
stripped her naked. On interrogation, she said her pastor, the General Overseer
of Holy Family Ministry a.k.a House of Mercy, asked her to bring the boy.
“The area boys followed her to 319, Lagos
Road, Ikorodu, where the church is situated, where they saw her pastor waiting
for her. But on sighting the crowd, he took to his heels.
“But for the
arrival of Policemen from Owutu division, the woman would have been lynched.
The angry mob also attempted to set the church ablaze but were also prevented
by the policemen. They, however, succeeded in torching some parts of the
property.”
On arrival at the
scene, a crowd had gathered, giving varying accounts of what happened.
But to the
astonishment of all, another building alleged to be used for ritual purposes by
Pastor Ernest Nwankwo was discovered.
The building
located at 7, Oshodi Street, was behind the church. It was gathered that some
miscreants uncovered the building while they were chasing the fleeing pastor.
The mob was said
to have forced some apartments in the building open, where they found an
undisclosed number of persons in chains.
The victims were
said to have recounted how they were kidnapped from Anambra, Bayelsa, Ogun and
Oyo states at different times. One of them, according to eye witnesses, who
pleaded anonymity, said she was kidnapped 11 years ago.
According to an
eyewitness, “the woman said she is about 50 years old and that she was
kidnapped along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway while returning from a vigil.
“The rest were
males and were wearing briefs. They looked haggard and tired. The area boys set them free when they
opened the apartments. I believe some of them should be with the police.
“There were also
‘Ghana must go’ bags of currencies . The area
boys looted some of the things they met before the arrival of the
Police.
I was abducted
from Anambra 2 yrs ago
—Victim
When Vanguard visited the den, there were
bloodstains around the building and a particular apartment where those alleged
to be in chains were kept, was opened up. The apartment was dark and was
littered with dirty cutlery suspected to have been used to feed the victims.
There was also a bowl which contained suspected human blood.
A 52 year‑old
man seen in chains told Vanguard that
he was kidnapped two years ago from Anambra State. He said he used to be a
commercial bus driver before he was abducted and brought to Lagos.
“The man said he
could not join others to escape because the key to his chain could not be
found. When he was asked if Pastor Ernest was responsible for his abduction, he
charged at him, saying: “Do not call him a pastor. He is not. He is a killer
and a ritualist.”
A community
leader in the area who identified himself as Alfa Olajide Odeji, told Vanguard that the building on Oshodi
Street was always under lock and key. He said there were unusual movements
there at night. His claim was collaborated by another community leader who gave
his name as Elder Sikiru Odebowale.
Efforts to reach
the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide failed. However,
Police sources confirmed that the female suspect was in Police custody and that
the seven-year‑old boy had been taken to a hospital. His condition could,
however, not be ascertained. Also, Pastor Ernest Nwankwo was said to be on the
run.
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Society