The ranks of a notorious cult gang identified as “Berry Boys Supreme” has been depleted following the arrest of its ringleader and 11 other members.

The gang leader named Maliki Bello, aged 22, and others, according to report were nabbed by operatives of the Police Special Taskforce on Social Miscreants on 4th February, 2020 at about 7.20pm.

The arrest was effected through a sustained monitoring operation led by the Divisional Police Officer of Itire Division, SP Barkfur Kromkyes.

Maliki, who is the supreme leader of the notorious Berry Boys Secret Cult, with operational base at Irire was said to be on the wanted list of the Police.

Police public relations officer DSP Bala Elkana confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murders and armed robberies incidents recorded in Idiaraba, Lawanson, Dosunmu, Ashimowo Bakare, Omo-Bola Mushin and Itire.

The release reads, ” On 04/02/2020 at about 1920hours, following a sustained monitoring, Operatives from Itire Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Barkfur Kromkyes arrested one Maliki Bello ‘m’ 22 years old. Maliki is the supreme leader of the notorious Berry Boys Secret Cult with operational base at Itire.

He is a native of Lalopun, Kwara State but resides at 23 Ayinla street Idiaraba area of Lagos state. Maliki has been on the wanted list of the Police for violent crimes and gang clashes.
The suspect confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murders and armed robberies incidents recorded in Idiaraba, Lawanson, Dosunmu, Ashimowo Bakare, Omo-Bola Mushin and Itire.
The suspect told detectives that, he was initiated into the cult at age 12 when he was in Junior Secondary School (JSS1).

He later rose to the number one position, mostly addressed as the supreme leader of the berry boys confraternity.
The gang has an official Facebook page (Bbl Baloteli) with 1,928 friends. According to Maliki, they use the Facebook page and other social media accounts to recruit new members, plan attacks and give updates to members. Investigation led to the arrest of 11 additional suspects”.

Elkana stated that the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Hakeem Odumosu has further reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to address the menace of cultism and youth gangsterism in Lagos State.
He hinted the the onslaught on social miscreants launched by the Commissioner of Police is intelligence driven, targeting mostly the leaders of the gangs and cult groups and blocking the channels through which they recruit young people.
” The Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants has successfully brought under control the activities of various cults and gangs in the State through well coordinated and targeted operations.
The onslaught will be sustained until they are totally defeated”, the police image maker stressed.