By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Police Command in Lagos State has detained four suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity cult group and recovered a locally made Beretta pistol and a 9mm live ammunition in Mushin.

The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

She said the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) apprehended the suspects following credible intelligence on the activities of cult groups in the area.

According to her, VCRU operatives first apprehended one of the suspects, who admitted to being a former chairman of the Aiye Confraternity.

“The suspect made useful disclosures about the activities of the group, including his alleged involvement in several killings in Mushin and other parts of Lagos.

“Information provided by him led operatives to Idi-Oro, Mushin, where they recovered one locally made Beretta pistol and a 9mm live ammunition.

“Three other suspected members of the group were subsequently apprehended at Ojuwoye, Mushin,” she said.

Adebisi said the suspects admitted to being members of the Aiye Confraternity and disclosed that the recovered firearm was allegedly obtained from one Rilwan, described as the group’s number one member.

According to Adebisi, the suspects are currently in police custody and assisting with investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the group.

The image maker said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, commended the VCRU operatives for their proactive and intelligence-driven approach to disrupting cult-related criminal activities in the state.

“CP Tijani, while commending the officers, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of residents.

“He warned cultists and other criminal elements to desist from their activities or face the full weight of the law,” she said.

The spokesperson urged residents to report suspicious activities to the command through its emergency lines for prompt police response.

“Report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929,” she said. (NAN)