The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected cult members and recovered five firearms in a series of coordinated raids carried out across several parts of the state.
A statement by the command said the operations, which took place in Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Okoko, Ilasan, Ogba and Iju, were part of ongoing efforts by the police to clamp down on cultism, violent crime and illegal possession of weapons.
The Command said the arrests followed credible intelligence and targeted operations carried out simultaneously in the affected areas.
In Ikorodu, four suspects were picked up after being linked to cult-related activities.
Initial findings reportedly connected them to the Buccaneers Confraternity, also known as Sea Lords.
On Lagos Island, nine suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected hideout.
In Ilasan, five suspects were arrested over their alleged involvement in the killing of Emmanuel Obioson.
In Okoko, one suspect believed to be linked to the Eiye Confraternity was arrested with a firearm.
In Ogba and Iju, four more suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in cult gatherings, assaults and other violent acts.
Weapons used in some of the attacks were also recovered, while victims are currently receiving treatment.
The Command listed the suspects as: “Shina Wale ‘m’ 36yrs, Kehinde Kareem ‘m’ 18yrs, Mohammed Aileru ‘m’ 18yrs, Bada Mujeeb ‘m’ 18yrs, Salam Kosoko ‘m’ 30yrs, Yusuf Anjorin ‘m’ 19yrs, Quadri Abubakar ‘m’ 21yrs, Lateef Salako ‘m’ 18yrs, Fawaz Bello ‘m’ 30yrs, Oyesola Olalekan ‘m’ age 36yrs, Ubaka Justice ‘m’ age 36yrs, Emmanuel Obekpa ‘m’ age 36yrs, Sodiq Ademola ‘m’ age 36yrs, Balogun Taofeek ‘m’ 33yrs, Azeez Owolabi ‘m’ age 28yrs, Meshack Obini ‘m’ age 24yrs, Fabulous John ‘m’ age 25yrs, Promise Israel ‘m’ age 28yrs, Bright Aniedi ‘m’ age 27yrs, Familola Fikayo David ‘m’ age 24yrs, Akeem Olamilekan ‘m’ aka Magali age 43yrs, Muiz Oyedele ‘m’ age 20yrs, Hamzat Sadiq ‘n’ age 19yrs.
“Items recovered include five locally made pistols, one toy gun, 15 live cartridges, three spent cartridges, a Police camouflage cap, an Army camouflage cap, and a jack knife with a pouch.
“In the unwavering commitment of CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, in eradicating cultism and violent crimes in the State, the Lagos State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs through coordinated and simultaneous operations targeting cultism and illegal arms proliferation across Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Okoko, Ilasan, Ogba, and Iju areas of the State. The operations resulted in the arrest of twenty-three (23) suspected cultists, recovery of five (5) firearms and other incriminating exhibits,” the statement said.
