Police arrest five suspected cultists in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists terrorising the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.

Operatives also recovered weapons and suspected hard drugs during the operation.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on credible intelligence to arrest the suspects.

The statement read, “Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, acting on credible intelligence, have arrested five suspected cultists believed to be terrorising the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of Lagos State.

“The operation led to the arrest of a suspect, one Abubakar Ayomide, alias ‘Garbazin’, 25 years, who 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.

The statement read further, “The principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and has provided useful information to investigators. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang and conclude investigations for prosecution.”

On items recovered, the statement read, “A search conducted at the hideout resulted in the recovery of one battle axe, one UTC knife, two other knives, one hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, items suspected to be criminal charms and other exhibits.”

Items recovered from the suspects. Photo: Lagos State Police Command
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, warned cultists and other criminal elements in the state to disband or face prosecution.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police has issued a stern warning to all cultists and other criminal elements operating within Lagos State to immediately renounce their criminal activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

“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.

“The Commissioner of Police further reassured residents that the Command will continue to intensify intelligence-led operations across the State until cultism and other violent crimes are decisively curtailed.

“He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, and assured that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”

The statement listed the following numbers for emergencies or information sharing: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.