Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Police Command has paraded 135 suspected cultists arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation aimed at preventing the annual "7/7" cult celebration, a date traditionally observed by rival confraternities and often marked by violent clashes across the state. The suspects were apprehended in overnight raids conducted between Tuesday night, 7 July 2026, and the early hours of Wednesday, 8 July 2026, across various parts of the metropolis, according to a statement by the command's spokesperson.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, the Commissioner of Police disclosed that, in addition to the arrests, officers recovered several items from the suspects, including fresh and roasted meat believed to have been prepared for the planned celebrations, suggesting that the suspects were in advanced stages of organising gatherings to mark the occasion. The operation was part of proactive measures to forestall cult-related violence and maintain public order during the annual event, which has in previous years been associated with bloody clashes, loss of lives, and widespread disruption of public peace.
The Commissioner expressed concern that, despite repeated warnings to parents and guardians, many continue to allow their children and wards to congregate in ways that expose them to cult activities. He urged parents to be more vigilant and to work closely with security agencies to discourage young people from joining criminal groups, stressing that the fight against cultism requires collective effort from all segments of society. The police chief also warned that the command would not tolerate any form of cult-related activity or unlawful gathering and that anyone found participating in such acts would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The latest operation builds on a series of similar enforcement actions by the Lagos State Police Command in recent weeks. In a related development, operatives of the command's anti-cultism unit had earlier arrested 120 suspected cultists on 7 July in a separate raid. Just days before, on 2 July, operatives arrested five suspected members of the Aye Confraternity during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Ago/Festac Bridge axis, recovering weapons, suspected hard drugs, mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards, and charms. On 6 July, the command foiled an alleged cult-related attack with the arrest of a suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity during a routine stop-and-search operation in the Ijaiye/Ojokoro area.
Cultism has remained a major security challenge in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria, with rival groups frequently engaging in violent clashes over territorial control, supremacy, and economic interests. The Lagos State Government has previously proscribed several cult groups, including the Vikings, Black Axe, Buccaneers, and Icelanders, as part of efforts to curb violent crimes linked to secret cult activities. Despite these measures, cult-related violence has persisted, prompting calls for more comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of youth involvement in such groups.
The police have assured residents of their commitment to sustaining efforts to rid the state of cultism and other violent crimes. Investigations are ongoing, and the command has vowed to ensure that all those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law. The Commissioner reiterated that the command would continue to deny criminal elements the space to operate and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to assist security agencies in their work.
The parade of the 135 suspected cultists underscores the Lagos State Police Command's determination to tackle cultism and prevent the annual "7/7" celebrations from degenerating into violence. As the command continues its enforcement operations, residents and stakeholders have been urged to cooperate with security agencies and support efforts to maintain peace and order across the state. The arrests also serve as a warning to criminal elements that the long arm of the law will catch up with them, no matter how well they plan their activities.
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