Maliki Bello, 22, believed to be the supreme leader of a notorious cult group known as Berry Boys, was arrested on, 4 Feb 2020.

According to the police, he has been on their wanted list for a long time over violent cult clashes.

The suspect hails from Lalopun, Kwara State but stays at 23 Ayinla street, in Idiaraba area of Lagos state.

In his confession, he revealed that they carried out their recruitment via a dedicated Facebook page. Moreover, they used that page a means of communicating with themselves and planning attacks.

“The gang has an official Facebook page (Bbl Baloteli) with 1,928 friends. We use the Facebook page and other social media accounts to recruit new members, plan attacks and give updates to members,” Maliki Bello reportedly said.

According to Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Elkana Bala, his confession led to the arrest of 11 additional suspects.

“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,” DSP Elkana Bala said.

The suspect then revealed that he was recruited at the age of 12 when he was in JSS 1.

“The suspect confessed to [being] 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),” the police public relations officer continued.

“He later rose to the number one position, mostly addressed as the supreme leader of the berry boys confraternity…,” the statement added.