The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of 21 suspects allegedly involved in cult-related activities during a raid on a hotel in Ajao Estate, Lagos, as part of ongoing operations to curb criminal activities across the state.
Exhibits recovered in hotel In Ajao estate
According to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, the suspects were apprehended at about 3:00 a.m. on April 5, 2026, while celebrating the birthday of a notorious cult member identified as “Actor,” who is currently at large.
Recovered exhibits from the scene include a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, Aiye cult-branded envelopes and Aiye cult-branded plastic bottles, one laptop, and 23 mobile phones.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.
CP Fatai disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja on achievements recorded since his assumption of office, noting that the arrests were part of intelligence-led strategies to dismantle criminal networks in Lagos.
In a related development, the police also recovered three vehicles from a syndicate allegedly involved in vandalising exotic cars in Lekki.
A report by CASEFILE about the incident has it that the suspects; Jude Onouha, 46; Obina Okeke, 27; Emmanuel Anyanwu, 38; and Joshua Oketere, 31, were said to have been disguising themselves while carrying out the acts in an unnamed estate.
The Commissioner revealed that the suspects were among 47 individuals arrested in connection with offences including armed robbery, cultism, conspiracy, stealing, threat to life, and unlawful possession of firearms.
He added that the case had earlier been showcased by his predecessor, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh on March 25, 2026.
“During the incident, the suspects reportedly used a Mercedes-Benz jack to simulate a firearm in order to intimidate victims. Following swift police intervention, three suspects were arrested,” CP Fatai said.
Items recovered from the suspects include a black Lexus ES350, a silver Lexus RX300, a silver Lexus RX330 SUV, criminal charms, and a large iron cutter. The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a syndicate specialising in vehicle vandalisation across Lagos State.
The police boss stated, “Before you today are exhibits recovered from various scenes of crimes including armed robbery, cultism, conspiracy, stealing, threat to life, and unlawful possession of firearms. These arrests and recoveries are outcomes of deliberate, intelligence-led strategies and community partnership emplaced by the Command to combat crime and criminality across Lagos State.”
In another operation, operatives of the command arrested a 43-year-old suspect, Jamiu Yahaya, popularly known as “Elesin,” described as a notorious thug and suspected armed robber who had been on the Command’s wanted list in the Canal area of Amukoko.
The suspect reportedly confessed to being in possession of a locally made pistol. A follow-up search at his residence led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one empty K2 ammunition shell, and suspected charms.
Police said investigations are ongoing into all the cases, including allegations of conspiracy, unlawful society, and unlawful possession of firearms.
