Lagos police smash cult gang, arrest 5 suspects, recover weapons, hard drugs

The Lagos state Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists allegedly linked to violent criminal activities in the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state, recovering dangerous weapons, suspected hard drugs and items believed to be criminal charms during an intelligence-led operation.

This was contained in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Saturday, the operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested the principal suspect, Abubakar Ayomide, 25, popularly known as “Garbazin,” who reportedly led detectives to the gang’s hideout where four other suspected members were apprehended.

The other suspects are Tanko Yusuf, 23; Ahmed Abibu, 24; Abubakar Shafi, 23; and Fatai Mohammed, 25.

Abimbola stated that a search of the hideout led to the recovery of a battle axe, a UTC knife, two other knives, a hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, suspected criminal charms and other incriminating exhibits.

According to her, the principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity, and has provided investigators with useful information to aid ongoing efforts to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said the Command remains committed to dismantling cult groups and other violent criminal networks across the state.

“There is no hiding place for cultists and other criminal elements in Lagos. We will continue to identify, arrest and prosecute everyone involved in cult-related violence and other criminal activities. The full weight of the law will be brought against offenders,” he said.

The police commissioner said intelligence-led operations would be sustained until cultism and other violent crimes are decisively curbed.

“Our intelligence-driven operations will continue across every part of Lagos to ensure the safety of residents. We are determined to restore peace in communities affected by cult-related violence,” he said.

Fatai also appealed to residents to continue partnering with the police by providing credible and timely information, assuring that all reports would be treated with strict confidentiality.

“We encourage members of the public to continue supporting the police with useful information. Every report received will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality as we work together to keep Lagos safe,” he said.

Police said investigations are ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to arrest other members of the suspected cult group before the suspects are charged to court.