The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists allegedly involved in criminal activities across the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence.
The statement identified the principal suspect as 25-year-old Abubakar Ayomide, popularly known as “Garbazin.” Following his arrest, he reportedly 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 confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and has provided investigators with useful information. The Command added that efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and conclude investigations before prosecuting the suspects.
The police said 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.
Commenting on the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, warned cultists and other criminal elements operating in the state to immediately abandon their activities or face the full weight of the law.
“There is no hiding place for cultists in Lagos,” the Commissioner said, reaffirming the Command’s determination to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in cult-related violence and other criminal activities.
Fatai also assured residents that the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations across the state to combat cultism and other violent crimes.
He urged members of the public to support the police by providing timely and credible information, assuring them that all reports would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
The Command encouraged residents to report emergencies or share information through its designated emergency telephone lines. #Securitynewsalert.com
