Officials of the Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt to apprehend a suspected cultist, Anu Olokodana, who allegedly murdered his friend, Adeleke Awosiga, 20, because the latter refused to join the former’s cult group in the Isheri, Ojodu Berger area of the state.
Olokodana, who reportedly celebrated his birthday on the fateful day of Saturday, June 13, 2015 drowned Awosiga in a swimming pool during the party at a hotel in the
area.
An argument, was said to have ensued during the party, which allegedly made Olokodana to twist his friend’s neck before drowning him.
The matter was reported at the Isheri Police Division by the victim’s family, who stayed in the Mowe area of Ogun State.
The deceased’s corpse was recovered by residents and policemen the following day while the suspect and other cult members reportedly went into hiding after the incident.
It was learnt that two of them had, however, been arrested by the police. The duo reportedly confessed that they belonged to the same cult group with Olokodana.
One of the deceased’s relatives, who did not want to be mentioned, told Punch that Awosiga and Olokodana had been childhood friends, which made it difficult to believe that the suspect could kill his friend.
He added that the family members had yet to bury Awosiga as they were still in shock.
He said, “The suspect, Olokodana, is popularly called T-Fire. He is a cult member and he was at the party with other member of his cult group. Awosiga was also there to celebrate his friend’s birthday. As the party went on, a disagreement ensued between the two.
“Both men have been childhood friends, but their point of disagreements had always been over the cult membership. The suspect had always persuaded his friend to join his cult group, but the latter was not interested.
“On that Saturday, Olokodana invited many of his friends, including the deceased, to a hotel in the Isheri area to celebrate his birthday. The young men drank and had fun till dawn. The trouble started at about 4.30am.
“The next thing we heard was that Leke (Awosiga) had been drowned by Olokodana, and all his cult members had fled. We are still in shock over the matter.”
Also speaking about the incident, a resident around the hotel, identified only as Alake, said Awosiga was killed when the cult members were dancing with one another’s girlfriends.
He said, “Olokodana’s girlfriend, identified only as Rashidat, at about 4am, started dancing with another cult member. Awosiga also requested to dance with her, but she declined and asked, ‘Are you one of us?’
“The deceased felt insulted, and replied that he was older than her. Other cult members got angry and pushed Awosiga out of the party hall.
“Olokodana also warned his friend not to go back to the hall.
“So, Awosiga stayed at the hotel’s swimming pool and started threatening the cult members. Olokodana went to the swimming pool area, twisted his friend’s neck and pushed him into the pool. That was how he drowned.”
The deceased was rushed by residents and policemen to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead before it was taken to a morgue in Yaba, where an autopsy would be carried out.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The deceased died by drowning. The case has also been transferred to the DCI for further investigations.”
