In a startling development at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, eleven individuals apprehended in the upscale Lekki area have confessed to belonging to a criminal syndicate of homosexuals engaged in kidnapping, extortion, and rape targeting male victims.
The suspects admitted to perpetrating heinous crimes exclusively against healthy-looking males, exploiting them for financial gain while maintaining a strict male-only policy during their operations. Shockingly, their activities involved video recordings of sexual assaults, which they utilized to extort money from their victims.
Esama Joel, one of the suspects, disclosed the modus operandi of the gang, revealing chilling details of how they coerced their victims into sexual acts and then blackmailed them. “We usually lure our victims to rented apartments, force them into sex, and record the acts to extract money,” Joel recounted.
The gang members, operating in the highbrow Lekki, Ajah, and Badore areas, used various tactics to lure victims, including gay dating apps and advertisements posing as real estate agents.
Victims were subjected to harrowing ordeals, as described by Fuad Abioye, another suspect, who confessed to his involvement in the gang’s criminal activities. “We collected money from them after raping them through the anus,” Abioye admitted.
The group’s criminal activities spanned a range of economic sectors, with members utilizing their ill-gotten gains to support personal ventures and familial obligations. Kelvin Kalu, one of the suspects, revealed that they often shared the proceeds among themselves and even coerced victims’ families into paying ransoms.
The gang’s despicable actions extended beyond financial exploitation, with reports of forced sexual encounters among members. Victor Ikechukwu, a member of the gang, admitted to engaging in sexual activities with fellow members, underscoring the depravity of their operations.
Law enforcement authorities, led by Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade, promptly responded to reports of the gang’s activities, initiating investigations that led to the apprehension of the suspects. Despite attempts by vested interests to undermine the legal process, the suspects were remanded in custody pending further investigations.
The case underscores the alarming prevalence of criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable individuals and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat such heinous crimes. As investigations continue, authorities remain vigilant, determined to ensure that justice is served and that perpetrators are held accountable for their reprehensible actions.