The Lagos Police Command said it has constituted three tactical units and deployed them in strategic parts of the state to tackle the menace of kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and other armed violence across the state.

Police Commissioner Adegoke Fayoade disclosed this at his maiden press briefing and parade of suspects held at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

According to him, the tactical units were deployed to areas such as Ikorodu, Epe, Ojo, Ijanikin, Badagry and Mushin which were notorious for cultism and other armed violence.

He said leaders of the units have been mandated to get leaders of such gangs arrested to send appropriate messages to the criminal groups that it was no longer business as usual.

“Already the number, two and three leaders of a cult gang have been arrested in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

“On January 11, at about 1am operatives of the Lagos State Command, upon credible intelligence concerning activities of some hoodlums terrorising Ikorodu and its environs, swung into action, and arrested one Balogun Tola, 35, alias 50; Tunde Oladipupo, 43, Rasa Ridwan, 27 and Abimbola Aro, 29 in connection with cult related activities” he said.

Fayoade said Tola, Oladipupo and Ridwan were number two and three leaders of a cult gang terrorising Ikorodu.

“Three English double barrel gun, One pump action rifle, one reining model 700 rifle, one locally made pistol, 74 rounds of live ammunition, 68 rounds of cartridges, one beretta pistol magazine, four axes, three daggers and five cutlasses were recovered from them.

“The arms and ammunition as well as other dangerous weapons recovered from the gang are enough to hold an entire community hostage.” He said. (The Nation)