The Nigeria Police, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos says it has arrested two suspected cultists for unlawful possession of firearms.
The Zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Umma Ayuba, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Ayuba said that the suspects were arrested based on intelligence gathered by the Assistant Inspector -General of Police in-charge of the Zone, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi.
She said that based on intelligence at the disposal of the AIG about the criminal activities of one of the suspects, a team of detectives attached to Zonal Strike Force, Lagos, trailed and arrested him.
“Upon search, two newly manufactured locally made pistols were recovered in his hand bag.
“Thereafter he led the team of detectives to his house in Atan township where two additional pistols of similar arms were recovered, ” she said.
The spokesman said that the suspect confessed to being a member of a cult group known as “Eiye Confraternity”
“He confessed to be a member of ‘Eiye’ who has been in the business of smuggling small arms into the country from the Benin Republic and selling them.
“He further confessed to have brought in several arms of such into the country and sold them to members of the same cult group”, he said.
The image maker said that the confession of the suspect led to the arrest of another suspect.
“Following the arrest of the first suspect and his confession to the crime, the second suspect was arrested in possession of a Pump Action Gun which he claimed to have bought from his absconding friend.
“He also confessed to being a member of Eiye Confraternity”, Ayuba said.
According to her, investigation is ongoing and the suspects would be prosecuted accordingly.