The Lagos State Police Command, on Wednesday, confirmed the arrest of 42 suspected cultists in connection with a series of crimes in the Ijora, Orile, Ebute Meta, and Ikorodu areas of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in the Ikeja area of the state, said during his last conference with police and field officers across the state, he identified cultism as an evolving crime threatening the internal security of the state.
He said, “I laid out a new set of operational plans to frontally address the emerging threat. I reorganised the special unit of the command, zoned the state and with the support of the Inspector-General of Police, we fully equipped and gave a new orientation to the different special units.
“We sent them to our Area Commands, equip them and charge them to operate optimally not just to identify these cultists but to undertake intelligence-led operations such that the battle will be taken to the doorsteps of these so-called cultists.
“I am delighted to note that in the course of the intelligence-led anti-cultism operations, we have, as of today, arrested a total of 42 suspected cultists in operations carried out at Ijora, Orile, Ebute Meta, and Ikorodu.
“In the course of these operations, a total of 10 firearms of various descriptions, including six locally-made short guns, three locally-fabricated semi-automatic pistols, and one English-made pistol, three battle axes used in hacking down innocent citizens or their rivals, three cutlasses, three daggers, three knives, 13 live cartridges, multiple charms, were recovered from the cultists.”
Owohunwa said the command would deploy all operational assets and the leadership that would enable the special unit of the command to sustain the battle against cultists determined to threaten the internal security of the state.
He added, “The command, under my watch, will deny them the space in a forceful manner to operate and threaten the peace that an average Lagosians so yearn for.
“Secondly, is to reassure Lagosians that the battle to rid Lagos State of cultists and other criminals has started and we will not relent until we restore order across the state.
“So, the cultists or any criminals that operate under whatever guise should take this as a clear and fair warning. They have an option, you either change for the better and opt for a legitimate means of livelihood or you have the police in Lagos State and the law to contend with.”
The CP, while seeking the cooperation of residents by way of information and cooperation, said a common front must be established to subdue cultists in the state.
