Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity cult group and recovered a locally made pistol and 9mm ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Mushin.
The suspects, Irawo Moshod, Abayomi James, 29, Farouq Bankole, 28, and Steven Sunday, 19 were arrested by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following intelligence on the activities of cult groups in Mushin and its environs.
The operation commenced with the arrest of Moshod, who, according to the police, admitted to being a former chairman of the Aiye Confraternity.
During interrogation, he allegedly provided information about the activities of the group and his alleged involvement in several killings in Mushin and other parts of Lagos State.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, VCRU operatives proceeded to Idi-Oro, Mushin, where they recovered one locally made Beretta pistol and one 9mm live ammunition.
The police subsequently arrested three other suspected members of the group James, Bankole and Sunday at Aganran by Ojuwoye.
The suspects allegedly admitted to belonging to the Aiye Confraternity and told investigators that the recovered firearm was obtained from a man identified as Rilwan, whom they described as the number one member of the group.
Confirming the arrests on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the four suspects are currently in police custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Adebisi added that efforts were underway to apprehend other members of the group and further establish their alleged involvement in cult-related criminal activities in the area.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as their proactive and intelligence-driven approach to tackling cult-related criminal activities in the state.
Fatai reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting residents, while warning cultists and other criminal elements to desist from their activities or face the full weight of the law.
The Command also urged residents to report suspicious activities through its emergency lines to enable the police to respond promptly.