The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected cultists and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition following coordinated raids across multiple flashpoints in the state. The operation, which spanned several days, targeted hideouts linked to violent rival cult groups responsible for recent killings and armed robberies.
State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, said the arrests were the result of weeks of intelligence gathering by the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit, working with the Rapid Response Squad and local divisional officers. He confirmed that the suspects were picked up in Mushin, Ikorodu, Ajegunle, and parts of Badagry after tip-offs from residents who had endured weeks of cult-related violence.
During the raids, operatives recovered six locally made pistols, two pump-action guns, 38 live cartridges, and a cache of axes, cutlasses, and charms believed to be used for initiation and attacks. Also seized were branded berets, vests, and flags associated with notorious groups that have been terrorizing neighborhoods and extorting traders under the guise of “area dues.”
Preliminary screening revealed that several of the suspects are between 17 and 29 years old, with some confessing to involvement in recent street clashes that left at least three people dead and many injured. Police say the suspects also named additional members now on the run, prompting a state-wide manhunt to dismantle the wider network.
The Commissioner noted that cultism remains a major driver of violent crime in Lagos, often overlapping with armed robbery, land grabbing, and drug trafficking. “These are not just boys fighting for turf. They’re armed, organized, and they kill. That’s why we’re taking the fight directly to their camps,” CP Fayoade said at a briefing where the suspects and exhibits were paraded.
Community leaders in affected areas welcomed the crackdown but urged sustained action, noting that similar arrests in the past were often followed by suspects returning to the streets on bail. In response, the Command said it is working with the Ministry of Justice to ensure diligent prosecution under the Lagos State Anti-Cultism Law, which prescribes up to 21 years imprisonment for convicted cultists.
The Police also appealed to parents, school authorities, and religious leaders to watch for warning signs among youths, stressing that recruitment often starts in secondary schools and polytechnics. Hotlines were re-shared for anonymous tips, with assurances that informants’ identities will be protected.
All 23 suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further profiling and prosecution. The Command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance, warning that anyone caught with firearms or engaging in cult-related violence will face the full weight of the law.
