Four suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity cult group have been arrested in Lagos, with police operatives recovering a locally made Beretta pistol and 9mm live ammunition during a crackdown on cult-related activities in Mushin.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of cult groups in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebesi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to Adebesi, operatives initially arrested one Irawo Moshod, who allegedly admitted to being a former chairman of the Aiye Confraternity cult group.
Moshod reportedly provided information on the activities of the group, including his alleged involvement in several killings within Mushin and other parts of Lagos State.
Acting on information obtained during the investigation, the operatives proceeded to Idi-Oro, Mushin, where they recovered one locally made Beretta pistol and 9mm live ammunition.
The police subsequently arrested three other suspected members of the group at Aganran by Ojuwoye.
The suspects were identified as Abayomi James, 29; Farouq Bankole, 28; and Steven Sunday, 19.
According to Adebesi, the three suspects admitted to being members of the Aiye Confraternity and allegedly disclosed that the recovered firearm was obtained from one Rilwan, whom they identified as the number one member of the group.
“The suspects are currently in Police custody and assisting with investigations. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang,” Adebesi said.
The police spokesperson quoted the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, as commending the VCRU operatives for their proactive and intelligence-driven approach to disrupting cult-related criminal activities in the state.
Fatai reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of residents across Lagos.
“The Commissioner of Police has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Lagos State,” Adebesi said.
The CP also warned cultists and other criminal elements to desist from their activities or face the full weight of the law.
“The Commissioner of Police warns cultists and other criminal elements to desist from their activities or face the full weight of the law,” Adebesi added.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through its emergency lines to enable prompt police response.
