The Ogun State Police Command has successfully apprehended AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, an alleged serial rapist, kidnapper, and murderer, in the Imaweje community of Ijebu-Ode. Omolola Odutola, the command spokesperson, confirmed the arrest, which took place in the early hours of Sunday at around 2:30 am.
Ibrahim, reportedly a final-year student at Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijegun, is also identified as a leader and gunrunner for the infamous Neo-Black Axe Movement, also known as the Aye Confraternity. He held a significant role in the confraternity, being the second in command and referred to as “Butcher,” and was responsible for maintaining the gang’s arsenal of weapons.
Odutola disclosed that Ibrahim’s arrest was the result of an intelligence-led operation by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The team’s raid on his hideout led to the seizure of various weapons and charms, including a serviceable Beretta with live ammunition, a pump-action rifle, an English long double barrel rifle, and two locally made short single barrel rifles. Additionally, assorted charms believed to be used for body armor were recovered.
Abiodun Alamutu, the state Commissioner of Police, has expressed a firm commitment to clamping down on notorious criminal elements in the state. He has promised to eliminate all criminal syndicates involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, and cultism through various sting operations.
Ogun State has recently experienced a surge in cult-related activities and killings. This includes incidents in Sagamu, which resulted in several deaths and numerous arrests, and recent brutal killings by suspected cultists in Ota town. The Police Command has been actively conducting operations to curb the rise of cultism in the state, leading to significant arrests, including a suspected kingpin of the Eiye Confraternity, Ogunnibi Hammed, and 18 other suspected gang members.