After four past arrests, notorious cultist Small Japron, another killed in political event

A notorious cultist, ex-convict and alleged serial murderer, Ibrahim Oriyomi Balogun, alias Small Japron, was on Wednesday evening killed by a rival cult group at a political gathering held in Obanikoro area of Lagos State. Also killed was one ‘Solo’, also said to be a dreaded cultist in Somolu.

The duo were among many others who attended the gathering organised by the House of Representatives member, Ademorin Kuye, and which held at Home Touch restaurant, 228 Ikorodu Road by Obanikoro bus-stop.

Sources said the deceased were trailed to the place by the rival cultists, who also attacked people at the venue of the meeting. Confirming the incident, the police said they died as a result of injuries sustained during the fight.

Small Japron, whom the police have accused of carrying out multiple murders around Somolu and Bariga areas, was the leader of the Eiye cult group. He was reportedly killed in retaliation of the killing of one Solomon, said to a member of Aiye cult. Jpron allegedly supervised the killing of Solo in Somolu.

Yesuru, a third person involved in the violence, is reportedly battling for his life due to wounds sustained during the clash.

Before his death, Japron had been arrested at least four times in the past – November 2012, August 2016, March 2017and earlier this year – on allegations of murder and cult-related activities. He was arraigned in 2016 for murder, possession of firearms and for belonging to a cult. Shortly after his arrest in 2016, he surfaced in public again and the police said he escaped custody.

When he was earlier paraded before journalists in 2016, he confessed to being involved in the killing of three persons. He had said: “I am an Eiye cult leader.

I joined the cult in 2009. The reason for my joining was to avenge the death of a close friend, Sunday Folorunsho, aka Small Biscuit.

“It was the Aiye cult members who killed him. So, the Eiye faction approached me and said I should join them. They said they would help me to fish out the people who killed my friend. I have killed three persons, among whom are Femi Wiper and Lekan Akon.”

When he was paraded before journalists in March 2017, the Commissioner of Police at the time, Fatai Owoseni, said Balogun escaped through the connivance of two police operatives, who were being investigated. Again, he found his way out.

Spokesman of the command, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said 21 suspects have been apprehended and were being questioned, adding that Kuye has also been invited for questioning.

He said: “You will recall that the command had on September 10, issued a press statement warning politicians not to gather in public places without notifying the police to enable adequate provision of security and prevent hoodlums from hijacking such events. 

“Regrettably, the host of the political meeting, Ademorin Kuye, did not inform the police of his intention to host his supporters.

However, 21 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the case and are currently being questioned by homicide detectives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba. 

Also invited to Panti is the politician, Kuye. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of this act, vowing that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring they are prosecuted. 

“He once again requests politicians to inform the police before gathering in public places. He notes that until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gives the go ahead, political campaign at this time is illegal and those in breach of the Electoral Act will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”