By Esther Onyegbula
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 27-year-old suspected cultist, Yusuf Lamina Adigun, and recovered a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge during a routine stop-and-search operation in the Ijaiye/Ojokoro area of Lagos.
The Police said the suspect was apprehended as part of the Command’s sustained efforts to combat cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, operatives intercepted a motorcycle conveying three passengers during the operation.
The statement disclosed that a search conducted on the passengers led to the recovery of a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge from Adigun.
“During the search, one of the passengers, Yusuf Lamina Adigun, a 27-year-old male, was found in possession of a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge,” the statement read.
The Police further revealed that the suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
According to the Command, Adigun also disclosed that he and other members of the cult group, who are currently at large, were allegedly on their way to launch an attack on some individuals before they were intercepted by the Police.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity. He further disclosed that he and other members of the cult group, who are currently at large, were on a mission to launch an attack on some individuals before they were intercepted by the Police,” the statement added.
The Command said the suspect remains in police custody while investigations continue.
It added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the alleged cult group and recover additional weapons that might be in their possession.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve to tackle violent crime, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, said the Police would continue to intensify intelligence-led policing and proactive operations aimed at dismantling cult groups and criminal networks operating across the state.
According to the statement, the Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information that would aid crime prevention and enhance public safety.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining intelligence-led policing and proactive operations aimed at combating cultism and other violent crimes across the State. He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information that will assist the Police in preventing crime and ensuring the safety and security of all,” the statement said.
