The Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspected cultists during an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal elements allegedly terrorising the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.
The arrests were carried out by officers of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects.
Police said in a statement that the operation first led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ayomide, also known as “Garbazin”, who later directed operatives to the group’s hideout, where four other suspected members were arrested.
The other suspects were identified as Tanko Yusuf, 23; Ahmed Abibu, 24; Abubakar Shafi, 23; and Fatai Mohammed, 25.
According to the police, the principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and has provided investigators with useful information to aid ongoing investigations.
The command added that efforts are underway to track down other members of the criminal gang and conclude investigations before prosecution.
A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one battle axe, one UTC knife, two other knives, one hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, suspected criminal charms and other exhibits.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, warned cultists and other criminal elements operating across the state to abandon their illegal activities or face the consequences.
“There is no hiding place for cultists in Lagos, as the Command remains resolute in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting every individual involved in cult-related violence and other criminal acts,” he said.
The Commissioner also assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations across the state to tackle cultism and other violent crimes.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring them that all reports would be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
The police also encouraged residents to report emergencies or share useful information through the Command’s emergency lines.