Lagos Police Arrest 135 Suspected Cultists, Seize 26 Firearms

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 135 suspected cultists following a series of coordinated raids across various criminal hideouts in the state. The operation also resulted in the recovery of 26 firearms and a significant cache of dangerous weapons.

The police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday. According to the command, the preemptive raids were launched to thwart planned violence and illegal initiation rites frequently associated with the annual July 7 (“7/7”) anniversary observed by rival cult factions.

Acting on credible intelligence, a joint team consisting of Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and tactical units executed the raids simultaneously across identified black spots. The force aimed to disrupt planned attacks and violent confrontations that intelligence reports had indicated were being coordinated by competing criminal gangs.

In addition to the 26 firearms, police operatives recovered 16 other lethal weapons, including battle axes, cutlasses, daggers, and knives. The authorities also seized assorted charms, cult insignia, mobile phones, and various illicit substances, including suspected Indian hemp and alcohol.

The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, ordered the operation as part of a broader strategy to maintain law and order across the state. The command has stated that investigations are currently underway to identify and apprehend additional members of the criminal networks.

All 135 suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be charged to court as soon as the preliminary investigations are concluded.