Lagos State Police Command has arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms during coordinated raids across criminal hideouts in different parts of the state as part of efforts to prevent violence linked to the annual July 7 cult activities.
The operation, which was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, PSC, MNIPS, involved Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders, and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the operation was intelligence-driven and targeted locations identified as criminal black spots where rival cult groups were allegedly planning violent attacks and other unlawful activities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the police said the operation resulted in the arrest of 135 suspected cult members and the recovery of a cache of weapons and other incriminating items.
The statement read: “Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, comprising Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders, and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, PSC, MNIPS, and on credible intelligence, conducted a simultaneous raids across identified criminal hideouts and black spots within the State to prevent cult-related violence associated with the 7/7 celebration/initiation.”
The police disclosed that the raids led to the recovery of 26 firearms, 16 dangerous weapons, including cutlasses, battle axes, daggers and knives, cult insignia, assorted charms, 11 bottles of different alcoholic brands, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, as well as six mobile phones believed to be connected to the suspects.
Explaining the reason for the operation, the command stated: “The operation followed intelligence indicating plans by rival cult groups to launch attacks and engage in other criminal activities.”
The command added that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the suspected criminal gangs.
It further assured residents that all those arrested would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal gangs, while the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
The Lagos State Police Command reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state, while urging residents to continue providing timely information that would assist security agencies in protecting lives and property.