The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended Damilare Bello Mohammed, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, and five others in connection with the recent cult-related killings in Sagamu.
Recall that a renewed cult clash between the Eiye and Aye Confraternity groups resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 individuals, including innocent bystanders. Bello, who represents Sagamu Constituency and belongs to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was taken into custody along with Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya, and Tobi Owoade.
It has been reported that the lawmaker is being held on suspicion of involvement in the violence. Allegedly, Mohammed provided refuge to these six suspected cultists who were implicated in the recent four-day clashes between rival cult factions in Sagamu, resulting in eight fatalities.
The state government, in a statement issued to the media on Thursday morning, September 21, stated, “The member representing Sagamu State Constituency (1), Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed, was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists. A team of security operatives, acting on a tip-off, apprehended the suspects on the lawmaker’s premises.”
The individuals arrested, which include Damilare Bello Mohammed (also known as DRE), Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya, and Tobi Owoade, are currently undergoing interrogation at the Department of State Service (DSS). It has been revealed that several dangerous weapons, including firearms, were seized from the suspects.
Notably, Hon. Bello had previously been arrested by the DSS for allegedly instigating a violent protest in Sagamu in February of the same year, related to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira redesign policy. During the protest, enraged youths vandalized approximately 10 banks and other public infrastructure.
The PDP confirmed Bello’s arrest by the secret police through a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole, in Abeokuta.
“While we do not oppose the DSS or any security agency’s investigation into the Sagamu incident, which has reportedly claimed more than 25 lives, we believe that the investigation lacks optimum professionalism and sincerity,” the statement read.
Bankole asserted that nothing incriminating was found at Bello’s residence during his arrest and suggested that the situation was an orchestrated attempt to tarnish his reputation.
He also mentioned the vandalism of Bello’s Sagamu residence by suspected thugs linked to the APC and criticized the DSS for allegedly being influenced by political interests.
Bankole urged the state government to examine its internal circles in Sagamu LG to uncover the source of the problem and called on the DSS to rise above partisanship in carrying out its duties. He emphasized the importance of the security agency adhering to the law and not becoming a tool for political witch hunts by the governor and APC against perceived opponents.
