Police operatives in Ogun have arrested a cleric, Peter Omope, on Saturday for illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder.
Police spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, stated that Omope was arrested at his place of worship at Olambe Junction in Akute area of Ogun State.
Oyeyemi explained that Omope was arrested following a distress call received from one Deji Olaketan, at Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters.
Olaketan told the police that he drove his boss to the airport in company of an 18-year-old lady, another domestic staff and returned the vehicle to the residence of a relation of the boss as instructed.
“On their way home, they were informed that traditional religion worshipers were conducting a street sacrifice in the area forbidden for females to see.
“They decided to take refuge in at the worship place where a vigil was on-going so as to join in the proceedings as it was already late in the night.
“While they were at the entrance of the place of worship, the suspect who happened to be the cleric in Charge came out with a pump action rifle and before they could utter any explanation, he shot the lady in the leg.
“Upon the distress call, the police moved to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested,’’ DSP Oyeyemi stated.
He added that the victim was taken to Ifako-Ijaye General Hospital, from where she was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and finally to the Orthopaedics Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.
The police also recovered the rifle and five live cartridges from the suspect, he stated.
Omope has been taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.
