P.M.
News is reporting that a ritualists’ den has been discovered in Majidun area of
Ikorodu, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
The
den, where kidnapped children and adults were allegedly kept as hostages was
found beside a church, Holy Family Church, situated in the remote area of the
town.
A
member of the church who spoke with our correspondents said that the discovery
was made Wednesday morning when a lady was caught with two children kept inside
a Ghana-must-go sack by residents of the area. The children, four years old
were found alive and tied with a rope.
Before
the lady was handed over to the police, she allegedly confessed to the
residents that her blood was being used by the owner of the church for ritual
and was asked to bring the two children for replacement.
According
to residents who spoke with our correspondents, the pastor of the church,
simply identified as Pastor Okonkwo, fled when he learnt that the lady was
arrested, while some church members found within the vicinity denied knowledge
of the ritualist’s den.
Residents
of the area said that the church holds its services on Tuesdays, adding that
members were mostly women.
A
53-year old man, Onwurah Nwankwo, was found inside the den of the ritualists.
His hands and legs were chained.
Mr.
Nwankwo, who spoke with P.M.NEWS, said he had been in the enclave for 11 years
after he was taken there by his wife.
”I
am from Delta State. I am a trader and I have also worked as a truck driver. My
wife handed me over to kidnappers and I was brought here. My hands and legs
were chained. People have been made to believe that I was insane. I don’t know
where to go from here because I am confused, “ he said after he was rescued
from the enclave.
Angry
youths who stormed the area set the church ablaze before the arrival of
policemen from Ikorodu.
A
police officer, Akinwale Olatoye, refused to comment on the discovery but
advised our correspondents to wait for the DPO of the area.
As
at the time of filing this report, policemen in 15 trucks were deployed on both
sides of the road close to the scene.
The
policemen shot canisters of teargas into the air to disperse the huge crowd
which besieged the area
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