The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected cult members and recovered five firearms in a coordinated statewide crackdown on cultism and illegal firearms proliferation across multiple parts of the state.
The operation, carried out simultaneously in Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Okoko, Ilasan, Ogba, and Iju, targeted criminal hideouts and cult-related networks.
The suspects are: Shina Wale ‘m’ 36, Kehinde Kareem ‘m’ 18, Mohammed Aileru ‘m’ 18, Bada Mujeeb ‘m’ 18, Salam Kosoko ‘m’ 30, Yusuf Anjorin ‘m’ 19, Quadri Abubakar ‘m’ 21, Lateef Salako ‘m’ 18, Fawaz Bello ‘m’ 30, Oyesola Olalekan ‘m’ age 36, Ubaka Justice ‘m’ age 36.
Others are; Emmanuel Obekpa ‘m’ age 36, Sodiq Ademola ‘m’ age 36, Balogun Taofeek ‘m’ 33, Azeez Owolabi ‘m’ age 28, Meshack Obini ‘m’ age 24, Fabulous John ‘m’ age 25, Promise Israel ‘m’ age 28, Bright Aniedi ‘m’ age 27, Familola Fikayo David ‘m’ age 24, Akeem Olamilekan ‘m’ aka Magali age 43, Muiz Oyedele ‘m’ age 20, Hamzat Sadiq ‘n’ age 19.
Police said the raids were part of ongoing efforts to curb violent crimes and restore public safety.
According to the Command, four suspects were arrested in Ikorodu following credible intelligence linking them to cult activities, with preliminary investigations pointing to their affiliation with the Buccaneers Confraternity, also known as Sea Lords.
In a separate operation on Lagos Island, nine suspected cultist members were apprehended during a raid on a criminal hideout.
In Ilasan, five suspects were arrested in connection with the cult-related killing of Emmanuel Obioson.
Police operatives also intercepted one suspect in Okoko with alleged ties to the Eiye Confraternity, who was found in possession of a firearm.
Similarly, in Ogba and Iju areas, four suspects were arrested for involvement in illegal cult gatherings, assault, and other violent crimes.
Authorities confirmed that weapons used in the attacks were recovered, while victims of the assaults are currently receiving medical attention.
Items recovered during the operations include five locally made pistols, one toy pistol, fifteen live cartridges, three expended cartridges, a police camouflage face cap, an army camouflage face cap, and a jack knife with its pouch.
The Commissioner of Police, CP. Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to eradicating cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information.
The Command also provided emergency contact numbers for the public to report suspicious activities, emphasising the importance of community collaboration in sustaining the ongoing crackdown.
