Lagos police have arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms in a series of coordinated raids across the state ahead of the annual 7/7 cult-related celebrations.
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The Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, following intelligence reports of planned attacks by rival cult groups.
According to the police, the operation involved Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit.
The statement said various units of police operatives simultaneously raided identified black spots and criminal hideouts across Lagos.
The police stated that the operation was aimed at preventing cult-related violence and other crimes often associated with the annual “7/7” celebration and initiation activities by rival cult groups.
Security agencies have, over the years, associated 7 July with cult group initiations, anniversary celebrations and retaliatory attacks in parts of the country. Police commands, particularly in states with a history of cult-related violence, often heighten surveillance and carry out pre-emptive operations around the period to forestall clashes.
The statement noted that items recovered during the raids include 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 police said the raids led to the arrest of 135 suspected cultists, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks and prevent violence.
The command revealed that investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal gangs still at large.
The suspects will be arraigned after investigations are concluded, the police said, reaffirming the command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations against cultism and other violent crimes across Lagos State.
Abimbola Adebisi said the operation was carried out following credible intelligence indicating plans by rival cult groups to launch attacks and engage in other criminal activities across the state.
The raids were part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks and prevent violence, a police spokesperson said.
Lagos has long been a hotbed of cult-related violence, especially around the annual 7/7 celebrations and initiation activities by rival cult groups.
The police said the operation was aimed at preventing cult-related violence and other crimes often associated with the annual “7/7” celebration and initiation activities by rival cult groups.
The police operation follows intelligence reports of planned attacks by rival cult groups, which often engage in retaliatory attacks in parts of the country.
The police have long been aware of the danger posed by cult groups in Lagos, particularly around the annual 7/7 celebrations and initiation activities.
The state has seen numerous cult-related clashes in recent years, leading to the deaths of many young people.
A senior police officer said the operation was aimed at preventing a repeat of these tragic events.
The police operation is seen as a proactive step in preventing cult-related violence and other crimes often associated with the annual “7/7” celebration and initiation activities by rival cult groups.
The operation follows a pattern of increased vigilance and pre-emptive measures taken by the police to prevent cult-related violence during the 7/7 celebrations.
The police have long been aware of the dangers posed by cult groups in the state, and this latest operation is a continuation of their efforts to disrupt and dismantle these groups.
The operation involved Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit.
The police operatives simultaneously raided identified black spots and criminal hideouts across Lagos.
The operation was carried out following intelligence reports of planned attacks by rival cult groups.
The police have long been aware of the dangers posed by cult groups in Lagos, particularly around the annual 7/7 celebrations and initiation activities.
The state has seen numerous cult-related clashes in recent years, leading to the deaths of many young people.