Police operatives in Lagos have arrested a 27-year-old man suspected of cult membership during a routine stop-and-search operation in the Ijaiye/Ojokoro area. Officers recovered a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge from Yusuf Lamina Adigun during the check.
The arrest came as part of the Lagos State Police Command's drive to stamp out cultism and violent crimes across the state. Operatives had intercepted a motorcycle carrying three passengers when they made the discovery.
A search of the passengers yielded the weapon from Adigun, according to a statement issued Saturday by SP Abimbola Adebisi, the police public relations officer for the command. The 27-year-old was taken into custody for further questioning.
Under interrogation, Adigun admitted he belongs to the Eiye Confraternity, the police said. He also revealed that he and other cult members who remain at large were headed to attack some individuals before police stopped them.
"During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity," the statement read. "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."
Adigun remains in police custody while investigators continue their work. The command is also pursuing the other cult members involved in the alleged plot and searching for any additional weapons they may have.
CP Tijani Fatai, the Lagos police commissioner, said his command would press ahead with intelligence-driven operations and proactive policing to break up cult groups and criminal networks. He stressed the importance of dismantling these organisations across the state.
Fatai urged residents to stay alert and share reliable information with police to help prevent crime and protect communities. The commissioner emphasised that public cooperation remains vital to keeping Lagos safe.
"The Commissioner of Police 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," the statement noted. "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."
