Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists allegedly responsible for terrorising residents of the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state, in an intelligence-led operation that also led to the recovery of weapons, suspected hard drugs, and criminal charms. The arrests were carried out on Saturday, 11 July 2026, by operatives of the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects, according to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi.
The operation first led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ayomide, popularly known as "Garbazin," who subsequently led operatives to the group's hideout, where four other suspected members were apprehended. The other suspects were identified as Tanko Yusuf, 23; Ahmed Abibu, 24; Abubakar Shafi, 23; and Fatai Mohammed, 25. The principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and has provided useful information to investigators to aid ongoing efforts to track down other fleeing members of the gang.
A search conducted at the hideout resulted in the recovery of one battle axe, one UTC knife, two other knives, one hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, items suspected to be criminal charms, and other incriminating exhibits. The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang and conclude investigations for prosecution.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, issued a stern warning to cultists and other criminal elements operating within Lagos State to immediately renounce their criminal activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law. "There is no hiding place for cultists in Lagos, as the Command remains resolute in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting every individual involved in cult-related violence and other criminal acts," Fatai said.
The Commissioner further assured residents that the Command will continue to intensify intelligence-led operations across the state until cultism and other violent crimes are decisively curtailed. He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The police also encouraged residents to report emergencies or share useful information through the Command's emergency lines.
The arrest of the five suspected cultists marks another significant victory in the Lagos State Police Command's sustained campaign against cultism and violent crime in the state. The Aiye Confraternity, also known as the Aye Cult, has been responsible for numerous violent clashes and killings in Lagos and other parts of the South-West, and the police have intensified efforts to dismantle their networks and bring their members to justice. The recovery of weapons and criminal charms from the hideout underscores the dangerous nature of the group and the threat they posed to residents of the affected communities.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the command's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Lagos State, warning that criminal elements will have no hiding place in the state. He also appealed to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against involvement in cultism and other criminal activities, stressing that such actions have serious consequences and can lead to loss of life, imprisonment, or both. The Lagos State Police Command has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the provided emergency lines.
The successful operation in Apapa, Ijora, and Badia is part of a broader strategy by the Lagos State Police Command to tackle the menace of cultism and violent crime across the state. The Command has been carrying out intelligence-led operations, raids on criminal hideouts, and stop-and-search exercises to curb the activities of cult groups and other criminal elements. The arrest of the five suspects is expected to significantly reduce cult-related violence in the affected areas and improve the safety and security of residents.
The Lagos State Government has also been working with security agencies to address the root causes of cultism and violent crime, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and skills training. The government has also been implementing various social intervention programmes aimed at providing alternatives for young people who might otherwise be drawn into criminal activities. However, the police have maintained that enforcement and prosecution remain critical components of the fight against cultism, and they will continue to pursue and prosecute all those involved in cult-related activities.
As the investigation continues and efforts are intensified to apprehend other members of the gang, the Lagos State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and property of all residents in the state. The Command has also called on residents to continue supporting the police with useful information, assuring them that every report received will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality as they work together to keep Lagos safe.
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