Police uncover another religious detention camp with chained victims; this time in the south

Policemen in Lagos Thursday uncovered a detention camp in Oriofe community, Ijegun area of the state.

This development follows similar discoveries in the northern part of the country over the past few weeks.

Unknown to many, the Lagos detention camp served as a prayer centre and the victims had walked into captivity before they realized their error.

At least 15 persons with a chain on their legs were rescued by the police while the superintendent prophet and his 10 accomplices have been arrested.

However, the 58-year-old prophet told police during interrogation that the rescued persons had mental disorder.

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The spokesman of the state police command, Elkana Bala, confirmed the development.

He said: “On October 30, 2019, at about 6:00 p.m., acting on information received from a reliable source a team of detectives from Isheri Osun Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Chike Ibe, stormed a prayer House used as detention camp at No 26 Alafia Street, Oriofe Ijegun Isheri, where the prophet and 10 others were arrested.

“At least 15 persons who were chained on the legs were rescued. Some of the victims were said to have spent five years in the detention camp. The victims are between ages 19 and 50, both males and females. Some of them were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases.

“The prophet said he had been in the healing ministry since 1986 and that he chained the victims in order to prevent them from escaping. The investigation is ongoing. Police officers are working closely with other agencies of government to provide adequate medical attention and shelter to the victims.”

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