By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity in Imota, Lagos, and recovered firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons during an intelligence-led operation.
The Command disclosed on Wednesday that the operation followed credible information from members of the public on the activities of suspected cultists in the area.
The suspects were identified as Jelili Adeyemo, 37, alleged to be the armourer of the group, Bisoye Adewale, 42, and John Okeafo, 60.
Items recovered from the suspects include one Beretta pistol, one locally made pistol, seven Dane guns, 10 live cartridges, seven expended cartridges, one stun gun, two handcuffs and four cutlasses, among other exhibits.
According to the Police, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of the Aiye Confraternity, while the recovered Beretta pistol allegedly belongs to a wanted cultist identified as “Mayibone”, who is currently at large.
The Command said the suspects have been arraigned in court and remanded in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and recover additional weapons.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged residents to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts.
The Command also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines.