Lagos police arrest five suspected cultists, recover weapons and suspected drugs

Crime Diary

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists during an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal gangs operating in the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, the command said that operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) carried out the operation following credible intelligence.

According to the police, the operation began with the arrest of Abubakar Ayomide, 25, also known as “Garbazin”, who allegedly led investigators 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.

Police alleged that the principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and had provided useful information to investigators.

The command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspected members of the group and conclude investigations before prosecution.

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of a 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.

Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai warned cultists and other criminal elements operating in Lagos State to abandon their activities or face the full weight of the law.

He said the command would continue intelligence-led operations across the state to combat cultism and other violent crimes.

The police commissioner also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all reports would be treated confidentially.

Police said investigations into the case are continuing.