By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Police in Lagos State have apprehended 41 suspected cultists across the state within two weeks as part of intensified efforts to curb cult-related violence and street crime.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, made this known while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Wednesday.

He noted that the operations were carried out following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance across identified hotspots.

He said that on April 22, operatives stormed Iwaya between 2:00 a.m. and 4:50 a.m., arresting eight suspected cultists linked to ongoing unlawful society activities in the area.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to track down fleeing members and uncover further criminal operations connected to the suspects.

Tijani also revealed that on April 12, police received intelligence about a violent attack that led to the murder of Emmanuel Obioson in the Ilasan area.

“Detectives swiftly responded, leading to the arrest of five suspects who are between the ages of 24 and 28.

“Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects are members of the Aiye Confraternity, while the deceased was allegedly affiliated with the rival Eiye Confraternity, ” he said.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover weapons used in the attack.

In another operation, CP Tijani said that police, on April 20, at about 6:00 p.m., apprehended 20 suspects linked to cult-related violence on Lagos Island.

“The suspects were involved in violent attacks recorded on April 10, they are members of rival cult groups terrorising residents in the area, ” he said

Tijani said that on April 19, a coordinated operation at Christine Onyung Street in Ajao Estate led to the arrest of two suspects of ages 38 and 40.

“During interrogation, the 38-year-old suspect confessed to being a former convict previously jailed for cult-related offences in 2018, adding that he returned to cult activities after serving his sentence, ” he said.

In a separate operation on April 27, the commissioner said that operatives of the Festac Division apprehended five suspected cultists between ages of 20 and 27 during a raid on a hotel in Festac.

“Five suspects were arrested in a hotel and another suspect, a 37-year-old was also arrested after allegedly issuing threats to members of the public.

“He confessed during interrogation to belonging to a cult group operating in Festac and surrounding areas, ” Tijani said.

He said that several weapons and firearms were recovered from the suspects.

According to him, all the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

Tijani said the operations reflected the command’s sustained effort to dismantle cult networks and curb violent crime in Lagos, noting that the arrests show the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and inter-divisional collaboration.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to making Lagos free of cult-related violence and assured that all suspects will be prosecuted.

The commissioner also urged residents to support security agencies with timely information to aid ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the state. (NAN)