Authorities of the Lagos State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of several suspected cultists in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.


They said the individuals were arrested while allegedly in the process of establishing an occultic shrine referred to as the “Indian Occultic Temple”.


Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade made this known during his maiden News briefing and parade of suspects at the command headquarters in Ikeja.


Fayoade disclosed the apprehension of a total of thirty-seven suspects who were implicated in various offenses across different parts of the state.


He stated, “On January 13, 2024, around 3pm, based on credible intelligence that some boys were seen engaging in occultic practices around Agufoye area of Ikorodu, operatives of the command promptly apprehended one Ifeanyi Nwodo, 39, and Daniel Johnson, 32.”
Fayoade emphasised that investigations uncovered the suspects’ attempt “to set up their occultic shrine named ‘Indian Occultic Temple’ with the intent to defraud victims by convincing them that the oracle possesses the ability to make them wealthy and successful. Various occultic items, including a moulded human head and crafted human effigies, were discovered in their shrine.”
He also announced the arrest of individuals involved in snatching an AK-47 rifle from a police officer.
According to him, the apprehended suspects who carried out the invasion in Iju Ishaga area of the state include Toheeb Oyekunle, Victor Jimoh, Samuel Okanlawon, Segun Babatunde, Pelumi Ajuloye, Mohammed Ibrahim, and Bello Ahmed.
In his words, the suspects were “arrested in connection with the invasion that took place at Iju Ishaga area of the state where the suspects snatched an AK-47 rifle from a police officer.
According to him, the suspects confessed to the crime and other criminal activities within Lagos and its environs.”
He noted that a cut-to-size AK-47 was recovered from the suspects, emphasising that “all suspects are to be charged to court after investigation.”
Fayoade reiterated his commitment to reducing crime and criminality within the state under his watch.
He assured residents that kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism would soon become things of the past following the clampdown on perpetrators.
According to him, within the one month of his headship of the command, 37 suspects had been arrested for various offences, 16 firearms, 72 live cartridges, 75 live ammunition, an expended cartridge, one pistol magazine, six axes, four daggers, five cutlasses, two vehicles, a POS machine, fake vehicle registration plates and various charms recovered.
Fayoade said with the establishment of the Tactical Squad to combat kidnapping, the menace would be reduced to the barest minimum.
He said an Intelligence Network and Tracking team has been established, adding that the government was making an effort to eradicate the problem.
According to him, Under my watch, I will continue to do everything operationally possible to ensure crime and criminality is brought to the barest minimum in the state.


Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner presented cheques to children and relations of Police officers killed in the cause of duty.
He said the gesture was at the instance of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun and Police insurance scheme adding that though the money present could be much, it would never bring back lives.


Fayoade describes Police job as replete with uncertainty saying, “I am very delighted to present this cheque to the families of our fallen heroes and colleagues, wh sacrificed to make this country safe.
According to him, you all know the nature of our job, it is such that when your leaving home in the morning you are not sure whether you’ll come back home. But that’s the job we signed for and we have no choice than to do it. These are our fallen colleagues who sacrificed their lives, do their jobs with passion but lost their lives. The police authority and the federal government has deemed it fit to compensate the children and families of these heroes.
In his words, though this money may be big but it is not big enough to bring back life. This is just to provide succour to the children and wives of the deceased. The government is going present today, 166, 223, 209.00 to families of our fallen heroes. “The type of insurance is one whole life assurance and the other one is Inspector-General of Police welfare scheme and it is going to cover 2021/2022.