Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, have arrested a suspected cult member identified as Orekoya Abayomi and human trafficking syndicate led by Stella Edem.
The arrests led to the recovery of arms and ammunition as well as 21 voters’ cards.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSP Ayuba Umma.
“Intelligence at the disposal of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 2 Command, comprising Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands about the criminal activities, hideout and plans of suspected members of EIYE FRATERNITY terrorizing Ijebu-Ife axis of Ogun State led to the deployment of the Officer-in-charge of Zonal Dragon Squad II (ZDS-II) led by DSP Akeem Adeyemi and team for a discrete operation,” the statement noted.
CSP Umma revealed that on March 19, 2025, the hideout of the cult group was raided while they were planning an attack, leading to the arrest of one Orekoya Abayomi, 54, while others escaped through nearby bush.
“He led the team to his residence where the following items were recovered: One (1) locally made Single Barrel Pistol, Six (6) Live Cartridges, Twenty-One (21) Voters’ Cards with different names (suspected to be fake) and One (1) Emerald Pump Action Gun with Breach No. 1335.
“Subsequently, a syndicate of human traffickers led by one Stella Edem operating in Ipaja/Ayobo area of Lagos State was bursted on the 22/3/2025, by Operatives of Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS) led by SP Francis Kpoughul as they stormed their base at Command, Meran Area of Lagos, where one Stella Edem ‘f’ and Susan Michael ‘f’ were arrested,” the spokesperson stated.
Umma said that Edem confessed to the crime, explaining that she was introduced to one Anabel, who is based in Mauritania by Rosemary Isaiah Otobong, who has been prosecuted for the same offense and is currently serving jail term in the Nigeria Correctional Facility.
“She added that Anabel contracted her to recruit young girls below the age of 22 years to be used as sex workers in Mauritania and that she is being paid Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00k) as commission on each young girl sent to Mauritania.
“She confessed that among other girls she recruited is her 19 year old daughter, citing that she has so far received over a total of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000.00k) from Anabel,” the statement added.
It further read: “Her accomplice Susan Michael ‘f’ confessed to have being contracted by Stella Edem to recruit young girls to serve as domestic staff in Mauritania, but upon questioning and further inquiries, she discovered that the girls were to be used as sex workers, hence she withdrew from the said business, adding that the only girl she sent to Stella Edem was rejected due to age and body size, and it was at that point she felt something wasn’t right.”
The spokesperson mentioned that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
