Maliki Bello, a 22-year-old identified as the head of the Berry Boys’ Secret Cult, was apprehended alongside 11 others by the Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants of the Lagos State Police Command.
Lagos State Police spokesperson, Bala Elkana, revealed that the notorious cult leader was captured on February 4 subsequent to surveillance of his activities by operatives from Itire Police Station, led by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Barkfur Kromkyes.
Upon his arrest, Bello, who had been evading the authorities, confessed that he was introduced to cultism at the tender age of 12 while in Junior Secondary School (JSS1). Shockingly, he also disclosed that they leverage platforms like Facebook to enlist new members.
Bala stated;
“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.”
A covert operation by the police culminated in the apprehension of 11 other associates of the cult. Bala further added;
“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.”