The Lagos State Police Command have foiled an alleged cult initiation ceremony in the Egbeda area of Lagos and arrested four suspected cultists during a covert midnight operation that also led to the recovery of firearms, live ammunition and other dangerous weapons.

A statement issued by the command on thursday by the public relations officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said that the suspects were allegedly linked to cult-related violence and other criminal activities within Alimosho and surrounding communities.

The suspects were identified as Nurudeen Ganiu, 34; Oluwaleke Fagbula, 38; Emmanuel Silas, 41; and Nurudeen Abdullahi, 41.

According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence about an alleged midnight cult initiation ceremony taking place in Egbeda.

Acting on the information, police operatives launched a covert operation which led to the arrest of the suspects.

During the raid, officers recovered one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one English Beretta pistol loaded with 10 live cartridges, and a jack knife.

The command said further investigations revealed that one of the suspects is an alleged cult gang leader and a rusticated student of a university in Ogun State who was reportedly expelled in 2022 over cult-related activities.

Police investigations also showed that the group had allegedly been involved in thuggery and terrorising residents of Egbeda and nearby areas for some time.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to being active members of the Eiye Confraternity, a notorious secret cult group,” the statement said.

The police added that the gang allegedly operated with motorcycles, using them to attack unsuspecting residents and disrupt gatherings at gunpoint.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CPTijani Fatai, commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response which led to the successful operation.

He assured residents that the command remained committed to tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

The police boss also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information through the command’s emergency lines.

Tension has again gripped residents of the Byazhin Across area of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, following a fresh kidnapping incident that left a local vigilante member dead and four residents abducted.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen stormed the community behind the Catholic Church area around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday , June 4, firing several gunshots as residents panicked for safety.

Sources in the area said the attackers invaded several houses during the operation and abducted four residents, including an 11year old child.

Residents told our correspondent that a local vigilante member who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen also carted away food items from some of the affected homes before fleeing the area.

The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents, who said the community has witnessed repeated security breaches in recent months.

One resident described the situation as alarming, saying the recurring attacks have left many families living in fear.

“This repeated attack on Byazhin Across is causing huge fear in us. Nowhere is safe. President Tinubu, even your FCT is not safe,” the resident said.

Another resident questioned the effectiveness of security measures in the area, alleging that attacks have continued despite patrols by security operatives.

“The Army only patrol and nothing is done. There’s repeated attack. This time the bandits came with a bus. We are not safe,” the resident said.

The Hunters Group of Nigeria has accused police officers in Yobe State of assaulting one of its members, leaving him injured and requiring hospital treatment.

In a statement released on Thursday, the group said the incident occurred at about 2:30 pm on June 4.

According to Zagazola Makama on X, the statement alleged that the officer attacked the hunter “without provocation or any known offense having been committed.”

The group said the victim was severely beaten and became unable to walk unaided. It also alleged that the same officers later took him to hospital after realising the severity of his condition.

The organisation described the incident as alarming and suggested it may be part of a recurring pattern involving its members.

It added that it has consistently encouraged its members to obey the law and maintain peaceful relations with security agencies.

The group is now calling for a full investigation and for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken.

Photographs purportedly showing the victim’s injuries were attached to the statement.

The Nigeria Police Force had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.