Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command seconded to the Special Anti-Cultism Unit have arrested 100 suspected cultists in the state after busting their hideouts.
The arrest is in continuation of the operation by CP Edgal Imohimi to rid Lagos State of miscreants including drugs peddlers, cultists, armed robbers and other dangerous elements threatening peace in the state.
The unit headed by SP Kehinde Thompson was said to have Ladipo area of the state, following a tip off from members of the public that suspected cultists have invaded the area and are initiating young boys and forcing others to join cult groups in the state.
CP Imohimi ordered the Officer in Charge of the unit, to raid the area and consequent upon the raid, the police recovered 2 locally made pistols, cut to size, 4 UTC Axes, charms, 50 expended live ammunitions, and phones suspected to have been snatched, were recovered from the suspects.
Police sources listed some of the suspects arrested as Chigozie Chukwuebere, gang leader, and Adekunle Babatunde.
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Chukwuebere, from Nnewi, in Anambra State, said, he was initiated into Viking cult group in Anambra State but fled to Lagos when police were after him.
“A wealthy business man in Ladipo market invited me to Lagos to hustle and make a living, but he did not know that I am a cultist.
My job is recruiting young boys into the Viking cult group. We also steal in the market. There are many cult groups in Ladipo market”
Other cult groups said to have been smashed by the police since the unit came into existence include Eiye cult group.
Hard drugs suspected to be Indian hemp, rounds of ammunition, six big cutlasses, four locally made pistols cut to size, charms,18 live bullets and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects during one of such operation at Bariga area of Lagos while 11 suspects were arrested.
Assuring residents of Lagos State in recent town hall meetings that the Police would swoop on such criminal elements threatening peace, CP Imohimi said “cultism has become a menace in the state and that is the reason for the Special Anti-Cultism Unit.
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