MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has declared war on cultists, arrested 42 suspects and recovered several weapons during the operation within two weeks of intensive combat in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the Police boss, who paraded the suspects at the State Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.
While parading the suspects, CP Owohunwa stated that the suspects were arrested through the new operational strategy by the Command with deployment of specially trained officers from the headquarters to different Area Command and Divisions to take the battle to the door steps of cultists in the State.
He stated that the suspects were arrested in Ikorodu, Ijora and Ebute-Metta area of the state, while 10 arms, 13 cartridges, knives and assorted charms were recovered from them as exhibits during the raids.
He explained that after thorough investigation and screening, the Police found hard evidence against them to be culpable for cultism.
CP Owohunwa expressed concern that cultism had been identified as one of the major security challenges in the state, stressing that investigations revealed that the suspects used semi automatic and automatic shotguns to bring tears and sorrow to innocent people.
“We have decided not only to arrest cultists, but to go after the fabricators of arms to nip attacks on innocent people or their perceived enemies in the bud.”
“Today, we are parading 42 suspected cultists; we intend to carry out the battle to their door steps or their enclave. We would deploy every asset within our disposal. We would deny them space to operate in the state. So, we are advising them to turn a new leaf or face the wrath of the Police.”
“We want to reassure Lagos residents that the battle to rid the state of cultists and other criminals is a promise that must be fulfilled. “We appeal to the members of the public for their support as this battle against cultists and other criminals is a common battle,” he said.
He further stated that the Special Squad that will deal with the cultists will be sent to the Area Commands as their operational base and are expected to operate optimally and not just to identify the cultists but to under-take intelligence led operations, such that the battle will be taken to their door steps of cultists across the state.
“We do not wait until the cultists strike. We want to remain steps ahead of them in order to restore peace in Lagos. “The Lagos State Command under my watch will deny them the space in a forceful manner. I want to assure the residents that we are not going to relent,” he assured.
He said that the suspects will be charged before the Court for the alleged offence while efforts is being made to arrest other suspects still at large.