The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and black spots across the state in a bid to prevent violence linked to the annual July 7 cult celebrations.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin? Wait, from the material provided, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, following credible intelligence.
According to the police, the simultaneous raids involved Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit.
The command said intelligence reports indicated that rival cult groups had concluded plans to launch attacks and engage in violent clashes during the annual 7/7 celebration and initiation activities.
The statement noted that the operation successfully disrupted the planned attacks and led to the arrest of 135 suspected cult members.
Items recovered during the raids included 26 firearms, 16 dangerous weapons comprising cutlasses, battle axes, daggers and knives, cult insignia, assorted charms, 11 bottles of alcoholic drinks, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, as well as six mobile phones.
“The operation followed intelligence indicating plans by rival cult groups to launch attacks and engage in other criminal activities,” the statement read.
The police added that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal gangs, while the arrested suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing cultism and other violent crimes across Lagos State.
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