Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 135 suspected cultists during coordinated operations carried out across the state to prevent activities marking the annual 7/7 cult anniversary.
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations targeting planned cult initiation exercises in different parts of Lagos.
According to the police commissioner, the operation was driven by intelligence gathering, aggressive raids, convoy patrols and the strategic deployment of tactical teams to identified criminal hotspots across the state.
He explained that July 7 has over the years become associated with cult groups, who allegedly use the date to initiate new members, prompting the command to launch a statewide operation aimed at preventing violence and dismantling criminal networks.
CP Tijani said the operation led to the recovery of 15 locally made Beretta pistols, one English-made Beretta pistol, one locally made revolver, eight other locally fabricated firearms, nine battle axes, seven machetes, illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages, mobile phones and assorted charms.
He added that the suspects were apprehended at different locations, including areas identified as criminal black spots where they had allegedly gathered for initiation activities.
The commissioner stressed that none of the suspects was arrested in their homes, noting that all those arrested would undergo thorough screening and investigation before those found culpable are charged to court.
He commended officers of the command’s tactical teams, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other operatives for their coordinated efforts, which he said prevented cult groups from carrying out attacks or disrupting public peace across Lagos.
The police commissioner also appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s movements and associations to discourage them from joining cult groups.
“We are going to stop at nothing until we get these cut-throats off the streets of Lagos. Cultism remains one of our biggest security challenges, and we will continue to pursue them relentlessly,” CP Tijani said.
“Our proactive policing prevented the cult groups from carrying out any violent activity on July 7. Instead of allowing them to initiate new members, we arrested 135 suspects with dangerous weapons and other exhibits.”
He further advised that, “Parents must know where their children go, the friends they keep and what they are doing.”
The police chief also warned, “The police will not arrest anyone in their homes, but anyone found engaging in criminal activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
He assured residents that the Lagos State Police Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations throughout the year to combat cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
