Police bust robbery, cult gangs in Lagos, seize guns

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The Lagos State Police Command says it has recorded some breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on armed robbery, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms across the state.

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The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

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He noted that coordinated operations by officers had led to multiple arrests and the recovery of sophisticated weapons.

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In one of the operations, Tijani said that operatives apprehended a 20-year-old suspect linked to a robbery case, who was transferred from the Oke-Odo Division.

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“A fabricated Beretta pistol and an operational motorcycle allegedly used by a robbery gang operating around the Ipaja axis were recovered.

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“The suspect confessed to participating in a three-man robbery operation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing accomplices in the Ipaja area,” he said.

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Tijani added that in another case on June 22, three suspects were apprehended in connection with an armed robbery attack in which a victim sustained gunshot injuries.

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He said that a locally-made pistol and four expended cartridges were recovered from them.

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The police commissioner further disclosed that officers uncovered a case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms following intelligence reports from the Ayetoro-Ijanikin area.

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“Acting on the information, three suspects were arrested, while two double-barrel guns and six locally fabricated single-barrel guns were recovered, ” he said.

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According to him, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation.

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In a separate patrol along Ilupeju Bye-pass, he said that two suspects were apprehended in possession of a cut-to-size pistol, an English Browning pistol, and four live cartridges.

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Tijani also confirmed the arrest of two suspected fake soldiers after intelligence revealed they were impersonating military personnel while concealing a pump-action gun.

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The police boss said that four suspected cult members linked to the Eiye Confraternity had also been arrested.

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According to Tijani, items recovered include a Beretta pistol loaded with live ammunition, a locally-made pistol, and a knife.

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He said that investigations were ongoing at the State CID, Panti.

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The CP said that a suspect was apprehended in Igando during a distress response to cult-related violence, with a pump-action gun recovered.

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He said that the suspect confessed to belonging to the Alora Confraternity, while other accomplices were still at large.

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The commissioner assured residents that all arrested suspects would be prosecuted, adding that intensified security operations would continue to rid the state of criminal elements and illegal firearms.

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He reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks and ensuring public safety across the state.

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