The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspected cultists and the recovery of firearms, ammunition and a knife during an operation in the Egbeda area of the state.

In a press release issued on its official X handle on Thursday and signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the command said the suspects were arrested following intelligence reports of a suspected cult initiation ceremony taking place at midnight within the area.

The suspects were identified as Nurudeen Ganiu (34), Oluwaleke Fagbula (38), Emmanuel Silas (41), and Nurudeen Abdullahi (41).

The police said operatives launched a covert operation based on credible intelligence, which led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of exhibits including firearms and a knife.

“Acting on credible intelligence received regarding suspected cultists conducting an initiation ceremony at midnight within the Egbeda area of Lagos State, operatives of the Command launched a covert operation, which culminated in the arrest of the suspects,” the statement read.

Recovered items include a locally made cut-to-size pistol, an English Beretta pistol loaded with ten rounds of live cartridges, and a jack knife.

According to the statement, further investigation revealed that one of the suspects is a notorious cult gang leader and a former university student in Ogun State, who was allegedly expelled in 2022 over cult-related activities.

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The command said the group had been linked to acts of thuggery and violent crimes that have allegedly terrorised residents of Egbeda and surrounding communities for some time.

“The gang operates by using motorcycles to launch attacks on unsuspecting members of the public and disrupt gatherings at gunpoint,” the police said.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives for what he described as professionalism and swift response, saying the operation reflects the Command’s resolve to rid the state of cultism and violent crime.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, commends the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, which led to the successful operation,” the statement added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cult-related activities and other violent crimes across the state, while urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The command said investigations are ongoing, adding that the suspects will be prosecuted upon conclusion of inquiries. (The PUNCH)

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