The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 23 individuals suspected to be involved in cult activities and recovered firearms during coordinated operations across the state.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the operations were conducted in several areas, including Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Okoko, Ilasan, Ogba, and Iju.
According to the Command, the operations resulted in the arrest of 23 suspects and the seizure of five firearms along with other incriminating items.
Providing further details, the police said four suspects were apprehended in Ikorodu based on credible intelligence linking them to cult-related activities, with preliminary investigations suggesting affiliations with the Buccaneers Confraternity, also known as Sea Lords.
In Lagos Island, nine suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout, while five individuals were apprehended in Ilasan in connection with the alleged cult-related killing of Emmanuel Obioson.
The Command also stated that one suspect linked to the Eiye Confraternity was intercepted in Okoko while in possession of a firearm. In addition, four suspects were arrested in Ogba and Iju for alleged involvement in unlawful cult gatherings, assault, and other violent offences.
Items recovered during the operations include five locally fabricated pistols, a toy gun, 15 live cartridges, three spent cartridges, a police camouflage cap, an army camouflage cap, and a jackknife with its sheath.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to combat cultism and other violent crimes, urging residents to remain alert and provide timely and reliable information to security agencies through emergency channels.