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LAGOS, Nigeria - The police in Lagos have reassigned Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Segun Ajao, the Tactical Squad Commander of the Okokomaiko Command, amid claims that he accepted N10 million in bribes from alleged cultists and manipulated their charges.
According to report, on March 19, 2025, six members of the Neo Black Movement, also known as Aiye Black Axe, were apprehended in the Agric neighborhood following reports of their late-night activities and attacks on local residents.
The detainees, Tayo Seton, Efe Emeakpor, Wisdom Naro, Sodiq Oladimeji, Oluwafunso Emiloju, and Emmanuel Marshal, were discovered with various dangerous weapons, such as locally made double-barrel guns, battle axes, short pistols, AK47 ammunition, and charms, and they allegedly admitted to being part of the Confraternity.
The community commended the police for their actions and encouraged them to pursue other gang members.
Subsequently, Inspector Yahaya Abule, the Police Investigation Officer (IPO), sought a 30-day remand order from the Iba Magistrate’s Court on March 20, 2025, to locate an AK47 rifle whose ammunition was linked to the suspects.
After the remand period, the suspects were charged under number CR/MISC/IB/3/6/2025 with seven counts, including unlawful association, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.
They reportedly pleaded guilty, leading the magistrate to order their remand in a correctional facility and to postpone the case for a ruling until April 14, 2025.
However, the case unexpectedly shifted when politicians allegedly visited the Tactical Squad Command and money was said to have changed hands.
Consequently, the initial seven-count charge was reduced to two: misdemeanour and unlawful association, omitting cultism and illegal possession of firearms.
The magistrate then granted bail to the suspects, and their families quickly met the bail conditions, resulting in their release.
The community, previously satisfied with the arrests, expressed outrage over this development and engaged lawyers Yinka Muyiwa and Olurundare Sowunmi to petition Commissioner of Police (CP) Jimoh Oluhundare Moshood, voicing their concerns regarding the reduced charges and demanding a comprehensive investigation to restore the proper charges against the suspects.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed Ajao's reassignment and the formation of a committee to probe the allegations.
The commissioner stressed the command's intolerance for corruption or compromise in investigations and assured the public that any officer found guilty of wrongdoing would face disciplinary measures.
