Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspected cultists allegedly involved in criminal activities across Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the operation initially led to the arrest of 25-year-old Abubakar Ayomide, also known as “Garbazin.”
Police said the suspect subsequently led operatives to the group’s hideout, where four other suspects were apprehended.
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 allegedly confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and provided useful information to investigators.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged criminal gang and conclude investigations ahead of prosecution.
No Hiding Place for Cultists — Lagos CP
A search of the hideout reportedly led to the recovery of one battle axe, a UTC knife, two other knives, a hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, items suspected to be criminal charms and other exhibits.
Reacting to the arrests, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, warned cultists and other criminal elements operating in the state to renounce criminal activities or face the full weight of the law.
He stressed that there would be no hiding place for cultists in Lagos, adding that the Command remained committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting individuals involved in cult-related violence and other criminal activities.
The Commissioner also reassured residents that the police would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations across Lagos State to curb cultism and other violent crimes.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring them that reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
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