An alleged serial rapist, kidnapper, and murderer, AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, was captured by the Ogun State Police Command in the Imaweje community of Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, confirmed the command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, to PUNCH Online. The arrest took place around 2:30 am on Sunday.
The suspect, Ibrahim, was identified as a key figure and gunrunner for the infamous Neo-Black Axe Movement, also known as the Aye Confraternity. Additionally, he was alleged to hold the position of “Butcher” and be second in command in the confraternity. He was believed to be in charge of all gang weapons used to instill fear in several communities within Ijebu-Ode.
According to Odutola, “Ibrahim was apprehended in the early hours of today (Sunday). He professed to be a final-year student at Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijegun. He has a history of repeated rape and murder cases and was previously wanted in connection with a kidnapping.
“He conceals the arms and ammunition utilized by the group for their operations in the Ijebu area. He is perceived as the ‘Butcher’ and is considered the leader of the group responsible for terrorizing certain communities in Ijebu-Ode.
“Acting on intelligence, the Special Weapons and Tactics team raided his hideout, resulting in the recovery of numerous weapons and charms. These included one serviceable Beretta with four rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action Rifle-Josef with 10 rounds of live cartridges, one English long double barrel rifle, two locally made short single barrel rifles, one locally made short single barrel with two rounds of live ammunition, assorted body armor charms, and others recovered from his residence.”
She emphasized that the state commissioner of police, Abiodun Alamutu, has pledged to crack down on notorious criminal elements in the state.
Odutola further stated, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun, through various sting operations, has vowed to eradicate all criminal elements, including syndicate groups known for kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, and cultism.”
Ogun state has been grappling with cult activities and killings recently. One incident reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous arrests in the Sagamu area.
Last week, two unidentified individuals were allegedly brutally murdered by suspected cultists in Ota town in the Ado-Odo Ota area of the state.
In response to the escalating cases, the command has conducted various operations in recent months to stem the surge of cultism in the state. In one of its operations in September 2023, the SWAT team arrested a suspected kingpin of the Eiye Confraternity, Ogunnibi Hammed, along with 18 other alleged members of the gang.
The police disclosed that Hammed was a notorious cultist widely recognized for his involvement in brutal attacks against rival cult groups in the state.
Among others apprehended during the sting operations were Sodipo Azeez, also known as Bintobo, Ilori Gbenga, Lamina Yusuf, Kolawole Rasaq, Adelaja Otusanya, Adeyemi Soneye, Oseni Toheeb, ThankGod Naba, Lekan Qudus, Adelusi Omotayo, and Timothy Monday. Ayomide Ishmael, Oboje Jeremiah, Ayoola Oladayo, Jacob Chidi, John Innocent, Ayangbile Victor, and Jacob Sunday.