The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended three suspected members of a notorious cult group during a tactical operation in the Owode-Ikorodu area of the state.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed that the suspects were arrested following a credible intelligence report that led officers to their hideout.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command have arrested Adenuga Tosin ‘m’, Jesutofunmi Ezekiel ‘m’, and Adeniji Juwon ‘m’, suspected cultists found in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The arrest and recovery followed a credible tip-off, which led to a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation along the Owode-Ikorodu axis by one of the Command’s tactical teams.
“During the operation, the suspects were found in possession of a locally made pistol and six live cartridges.
“Investigations revealed that they are active members of a cult group known for its involvement in violent crimes.”
Hundeyin added that further investigations revealed that the suspects played key roles in facilitating the movement and distribution of illegal firearms across various parts of Lagos State posing a serious threat to public safety.
He also noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other wanted members of the group and the arrested suspects will be charged to court in accordance with due process and the rule of law upon the conclusion of the investigation.
In May, some suspected cultists killed a popular shawarma vendor at Ebute-Ipakodo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State in what appeared to be linked to a cult-related gang rivalry.
The vendor identified as Benjamin was said to have been attending to some customers when two guys walked up to him, pulled out guns, and shot him multiple times at close range.
Also, the Anambra State Police Command has apprehended two suspects believed to be involved in the kidnapping and murder of a female banker in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.
The female banker, identified only as Ifeoma, was abducted and killed by suspected kidnappers on 13 January, despite her family paying a ransom of N14 million for her release.
The victim was kidnapped in Onitsha and held captive for several days before her captors contacted her family demanding ransom.
After the ransom was paid, she was kept hostage until her body was discovered along Nnobi Road with her eyes bound.
In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said security operatives, following thorough investigations, tracked two suspects — Monday Egbe, aged 32, and Kenneth Nnoga, aged 28 — to their hideout in a neighbouring state.
Ikenga added that the suspects, arrested on May 28, 2025, are currently undergoing interrogation to provide further insight into the gang’s modus operandi and to aid in the arrest of other members.
The statement read: “Following the Anambra State Police Command’s commitment to pursue cases until suspects are apprehended and to prevent further criminal activities in the state, two suspects were arrested on May 28, 2025.
“The two suspects are alleged to have been involved in the kidnapping and murder of a female bank manager after collecting a ransom of N14 million in Onitsha.
“Operatives, through diligent investigations, tracked the suspects, Monday Egbe, aged 32, and Kenneth Nnoga, aged 28, to their criminal hideout in a neighbouring state.
“The tragic incident occurred on January 13, 2025, when the victim’s lifeless body was found along Nnobi Road with her eyes bound, following the payment of the N14 million ransom by her family.
“The suspects are currently being interrogated to gain further insights into the gang’s operations and to facilitate the arrest of other members.”
According to Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, has assured that the command will continue to uphold its mandate to protect the lives and property of the people of Anambra and residents, ensuring all cases are thoroughly investigated and justice served.