The arrest is coming barely four days after the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Manko, ordered his men to fish out the suspected cultists.
The suspects had over the weekend vandalised over 100 vehicles, looted shops and injured residents during a burial procession for one of their gang members, who was killed by a rival cult.
It was gathered that the CP’s order yielded positive results as the joint patrol by the Area H Police Command and officers from the nearby Pedro, Alade, Onipanu and CMS Police Stations combed the nooks and corners of Shomolu in search of the hoodlums.
A police source, who requested anonymity, said the “CMS police officers arrested at least 20 suspected hoodlums while scores of others where arrested by the Ogudu police officers at the Onipanu motor park.”
However the National Union of Road Transports Workers alleged that the police picked up innocent residents and NURTW members, who were relaxing in their parks and houses.
It was gathered that the massive arrest did not go down well with the suspected cultists as they went on rampage on Wednesday at about 8pm attacking residents of Popoola, Ore Ofero and other streets for co-operating with the police to fish them out.
A resident of Ore Ofero Street, one Kazeem, said: “These boys, numbering more than 50, stormed our street and damaged cars and looted shops.
“It was hell as we stayed indoors watching them destroying vehicles and other valuables.”
According to an octogenerian, one Madam Salau, the suspected cultists had a list of residents they were after.
She said: “They stormed house 5 and they were asking of one Seggy.
“They ordered the residents to bring him out or they would kill everybody.
“They went on to rob us of phones and money.”
Another resident, who was scared to give his name for fear of being attacked, said the suspected cultists had warned them to leave their house as they were coming to burn the place down.
He said: “A week ago, one of the leaders of the hoodlums, one Okanlawon Oluwa, came with some thugs to the house where I reside and told us they will burn down the house because their enemy lives there.
“Now, see what they have done.
“They were over 100 that came.
“I wonder where they use to get such multitude.
“Since two of the hoodlums came back from Kirikiri Prison, they have made life difficult for residents.
“They have taken total control of the area, especially the carnal area.
“The residents have complained severally about the activities of these boys who are well known in the community: Ajose Street, Okoh Close, Salami, Fadipe, Fagbeyiro, Olabiran Streets and all the areas down to the canal to Majiyagbe Street.
“These places are not safe due to the activities of the hoodlums.
“Bajulaye, Ojo Streets and others in Shomolu are hot beds for criminals.”
Lending his voice, a politician, who requested anonymity, alleged that the Chairman of Shomolu Local Government Area, Gbolahan Bogo-Stowe iss the “father of the hoodlums.”
He said: “Can you imagine the chairman celebrating what he called Judas Iscariot day.
“He assembled hoodlums terrorising the community for this event.
“Even his councillors were not present neither where party chieftains.
“Just himself and the hoodlums, smoking marijuana openly in public.
“The chairman is humiliating the Action Congress of Nigeria and the party members are fed up with his untoward behaviour.”
Investigations revealed that residents are itching to relocate from Shomolu due to the incessant cult attacks.
A resident of Salami Street, a civil servant, said he made a mistake residing in the area.
The resident, who refused to give his name, said he is now seeking another accommodation else where.
Narrating his ordeal, he said: “As early as 6pm, you will see the boys converging at Ajose Street or at the back of the Celestial Church smoking Indian hemp.
“Living here has been unbearable.
“What surprises me is that most of these boys have parents living in the community.
“Several petitions to the government and security agencies to flush the miscreants have not been successful.
“Even the police are not helping issues.
“Most of the boys have the police at their beck and call.
“It was the former DPO of Alade Police Station, Busari, that worsened the situation as he had an unholy alliance with the boys.
“There is no way the new DPO of Alade Police Station can function with the present crop of policemen, some of whom have overstayed.
“The police cannot carry out the responsibility of cleansing the area as most policemen, like the station officer at Alade, and a woman ASP, are behind the hoodlums.”
In a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the community leaders listed the following people as the hoodlums and cultists terrorising the community: Rasaki Oseni, Osanle, Seun Igbinabaro, Saunpal Mayowa, Kunle Atunrase aka Eyin Bouncing,Kabiru aka Omo Ese, Efe, Sodiqanya, Okanlawon Oluwa aka Okla, Yesiru Adesanya, Dimeji Oluwa, BB, Jamiu Ologun, Akin Dudu, Adewale Kazeem aka Ororo, Wasiu Bongolo and Shankar.
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