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.
Vanguard 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.
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 said 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.”
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.
Vanguard
