Lagos: police stop the start of a sect, arrest 135 suspects, recover guns, cutlasses and amulets

The Lagos State Police Command has dealt a major blow to cult-related violence across the state with the arrest of 135 suspected cultists in coordinated raids that disrupted the annual July 7 initiation ceremonies of various cult groups across the state.

Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said the operation was a result of intelligence-led policing, aggressive raids, convoy patrols and strategic deployment of tactical teams to identified criminal blackspots in Lagos.

The police chief said July 7 has over the years become an infamous date used by sectarian groups to recruit new members, prompting the command to launch a state-wide operation aimed at preventing violence and dismantling criminal networks.

During the operation police recovered 15 locally made Beretta pistols, one English made Beretta pistol, one locally made revolver, eight other locally made firearms, nine battle axes, seven machetes, illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages, mobile phones and assorted trinkets.

CP Fatai said the suspects were arrested at several locations, including notorious black spots where they allegedly gathered for initiation activities, adding that none of them were arrested at their homes.