By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos, has arrested three suspected members of a cult group operating across Lagos and Ogun states and recovered a locally fabricated double-barrel cut-to-size pistol.
The suspects were arrested following intelligence from a member of the public about the activities of suspected cultists allegedly terrorising residents of Ikorodu and its environs.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer of Zone 2 Command, DSP Afolayan Gbenga, detectives attached to the Zonal Quick Intervention Squad commenced surveillance on the suspects before launching a coordinated operation on September 3, 2026.
The operation led to the arrest of Michael Badejo, 33, also known as Senior, at Ifo, Ogun State. His arrest subsequently led detectives to two other suspects, Fatai Oladipupo, 36, alias Labalaba, and Kamarudeen Salau, 46, alias Otunba, who were arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
A locally fabricated double-barrel cut-to-size pistol was also recovered from the suspects.
Preliminary investigation, according to the police, revealed that Badejo, who is based in Ogun State, served as a link between Oladipupo and Salau, a security guard in Ikorodu.
The police said Oladipupo, who was in possession of the firearm, contacted Badejo to repair the weapon. Badejo subsequently introduced him to Salau for the purported repair.
However, instead of repairing the firearm, Salau allegedly offered to purchase it from Oladipupo.
During interrogation, Oladipupo claimed that a friend, who is currently at large, gave him the pistol. He also confessed to being a member of the Eiye confraternity, alongside the two other arrested suspects.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the alleged criminal network, adding that the suspects in custody would be prosecuted after investigations.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Headquarters, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, commended the operatives for their diligence and successful recovery of the firearm.
Jimoh stressed that removing illegal firearms from the possession of criminal elements was critical to maintaining public safety, while charging the operatives to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts to track down other members of the network.
The Zone 2 Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property in Lagos and Ogun states and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through official complaint channels.
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