Abayomi Susan
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspected cult members allegedly responsible for terrorising residents of Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.
The arrest was carried out by officers of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), following credible intelligence gathered on the activities of the suspected criminal group.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the operation led to the arrest of one Abubakar Ayomide, popularly known as “Garbazin”, a 25-year-old suspect who allegedly confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity.
The statement revealed that Ayomide later led operatives to the group’s hideout, where four other suspects were apprehended. They were identified as Tanko Yusuf, 23; Ahmed Abibu, 24; Abubakar Shafi, 23; and Fatai Mohammed, 25.
The police said the principal suspect has provided useful information to investigators, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and complete investigations for possible prosecution.
A search of the hideout reportedly led to the recovery of several items, including a battle axe, UTC knife, two other knives, a hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, alleged criminal charms and other exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, warned cultists and other criminal elements operating in the state to immediately abandon their unlawful activities or face the full consequences of the law.
CP Tijani assured residents that the Command remains committed to using intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in cultism, violence and other criminal activities across Lagos.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, assuring that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
Residents can contact the Command through the following emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.
