Joy Anyim
Nineteen suspected cultists, reportedly involved in a gang war around Alakuko, Dalemo and Kola areas of Lagos, have been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.
Reports have it that the gang war which lasted for two days had led to the death of at least one person, with several others injured.
Speaking in a statement on Monday, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Hakeem Odumosu stated that the suspects were found to be in possession of various dangerous weapons, charms and Indian hemp.
In the statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, Odumosu revealed that the hoodlums breaching the peace of the community came from Otta axis of Ogun State.
He said the hoodlums lay siege on the affected border communities following a cult-related crisis and that the command had been repelling them.
“ The command has deployed additional police personnel, including Police Mobile Force, to curtail the hoodlums; and restored normalcy to the crises affected communities, ” he said.
The CP also directed that the arrested suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba for discreet Investigation.
The state police boss further urged community leaders in the affected areas to support the police in combating the crises, as he assured that the command is working assiduously with the Ogun State Police Command to decimate the activities of the hoodlums and cultists in the border areas and towns across the state.
Similarly, Odumosu, who held an emergency security meeting with Area Commanders and Police Mobile Force Commanders in Lagos State on Monday, said that the meeting was convened to marshal fresh strategies to tackle recent trends of lawlessness.
“ Motorcycle operators, commercial drivers and Lagosians, in general, should respect the laws of the state and desist from attacking police personnel and other security operatives who are enforcing the Lagos State Traffic Regulations and COVID-19 safety protocols, as the command will continue to discharge its duties without fair or favour, ” he warned.