CITIZENS COMPASS— The Lagos State Police Command on Friday, said through coordinated and simultaneous operations, it has arrested 23 suspected cultists across the state.
The Command said the operation targeted cultism and illegal arms proliferation across Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Okoko, Ilasan, Ogba, and Iju areas of the State. The operations resulted in the arrest of twenty-three (23) suspected cultists, recovery of five (5) firearms and other incriminating exhibits.
During the operation in Ikorodu, four suspects were arrested following credible intelligence linking them to cult-related activities. Preliminary findings indicate links to the Buccaneers Confraternity (Sea Lords).
In Lagos Island, nine (9) suspected cultists were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout. In Ilasan, five (5) suspects in connection with a cult-related killing of one Emmanuel Obioson were arrested. In Okoko, one suspect with ties to the Eiye Confraternity was intercepted in possession of a firearm.
Similarly, in Ogba and Iju areas, the operations led to the arrest of four (4) suspects involved in illegal cult gatherings, assault, and other related violent crimes. Weapons used in the attacks were recovered, and victims are currently receiving medical attention.
The suspects were: Shina Wale ‘m’ 36yrs, Kehinde Kareem ‘m’ 18yrs, Mohammed Aileru ‘m’ 18yrs, Bada Mujeeb ‘m’ 18yrs, Salam Kosoko ‘m’ 30yrs, Yusuf Anjorin ‘m’ 19yrs, Quadri Abubakar ‘m’ 21yrs, Lateef Salako ‘m’ 18yrs, Fawaz Bello ‘m’ 30yrs, Oyesola Olalekan ‘m’ age 36yrs, Ubaka Justice ‘m’ age 36yrs, Emmanuel Obekpa ‘m’ age 36yrs, Sodiq Ademola ‘m’ age 36yrs, Balogun Taofeek ‘m’ 33yrs, Azeez Owolabi ‘m’ age 28yrs, Meshack Obini ‘m’ age 24yrs, Fabulous John ‘m’ age 25yrs, Promise Israel ‘m’ age 28yrs, Bright Aniedi ‘m’ age 27yrs, Familola Fikayo David ‘m’ age 24yrs, Akeem Olamilekan ‘m’ aka Magali age 43yrs, Muiz Oyedele ‘m’ age 20yrs, Hamzat Sadiq ‘n’ age 19yrs
The exhibits include: Five (5) locally made pistols, one (1) toy pistol, fifteen (15) live cartridges, three (3) expended cartridges, one (1) Police camouflage face cap, one (1) Army camouflage face cap, one (1) jack knife with the pouch.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to eradicating cultism and violent crimes. He urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information through the Command emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
In tax-related development, the Delta State Police Command while investigating a kidnapping incident that occurred on February 1, 2026 at about 2000hrs, along the Warri–Sapele Road by Adeje Community, culminated in the rescue of victims, arrest of key members of a notorious syndicate, and recovery of firearms.
The incident was reported on 4 February 2026 at about 1700hrs, following the abduction of a group of travellers who were ambushed by armed hoodlums. The assailants, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, forcefully took the victims into the bush. Two of the victims managed to escape and promptly raised an alarm, triggering a coordinated response involving the Police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes. Sustained pressure from the joint security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining victims, who were subsequently rescued unhurt.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, operatives of Orerokpe Division arrested one Dafiaga Timothy (male) on the same day, 4 February 2026, while attempting to withdraw money using one of the victim’s ATM cards at a POS point in Adeje Community. The DPO Orerokpe Division was directed to transfer the case to the CP-Special Assignment Team for discreet and further investigation.
Following sustained interrogation and technically generated intelligence, on 31 March 2026 at about 1600hrs, operatives arrested additional members of the syndicate, including Samuel Omonigho (male), 31 years, in Kokori Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Henry Christmas (male), 22 years, in Adeje Community, Okpe Local Government Area.
Further breakthrough were recorded on 5 April 2026 at about 1445hrs, when operatives arrested two more members of the syndicate, namely Ovo Wilson Junior (male), also known as “Sheboy”, 24 years, in Mereje Community, Okpe Local Government Area, and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel (male), 36 years, in Ughwagba Community, Okpe Local Government Area. Investigation revealed that Emakpo Ubiaro Abel is a tricycle rider who conveys the gang members to and from their operational locations.
Furthermore, on 13 April 2026 at about 0535hrs, operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team, acting on information obtained during interrogation, carried out a follow-up operation at a hideout located at Oka Junction, Agbarho, and a thorough search led to the recovery of one fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and one locally made gun with seven live cartridges.
The syndicate has been linked to a series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli, and adjoining areas.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, commended the synergy between security agencies and the vigilance of community members which contributed to the success of the operations.
