The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday night said 52 suspected cultists have been arrested in joint raids across the state, assuring residents of safety before, during and after the July 7 Cultism Day.

The suspects, the command said, were arrested in Mushin while preparing to unleash mayhem on innocents.

A statement by spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh also warned hoteliers to desist from letting their premises be used to host cult related activities, stressing that anyone caught would be prosecuted.

He warned parents, guardians to prevail on their wards to shun violence, noting that cult related activities as the law will catch up with anyone caught.

According to Hundeyin, the command was prepared and had fully mobilised Police Anti Cultism Squads, Special Tactical Squads, the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Police State Intelligence Department and specially designated units against violent crimes and cultism to prevent, arrest and prosecute any cultist or gang of cultists before they unleash mayhem, havoc and destruction on lives and property. 

“The police in furtherance to ensure the safety of the good people of Lagos has completed and implemented preventive, deterrence and detective strategies to nip in the bud and ensure that the peaceful atmosphere in Lagos State is not disrupted by the cultists under any guise. 

“The command has deployed massively across the length and breadth of the Lagos State to guarantee the safety of lives and property of all residents and visitors to Lagos State.

“Following credible intelligence indicating that certain cult groups may attempt to cause mayhem and engage in reprisal attacks on July 7, the command has put robust measures in place to forestall any such activities. 

“The command is fully prepared to maintain law and order and would ensure that no individual or group disrupts the peace of our dear state.

“Equally acting on this intelligence, the command today carried out proactive and advanced raids of cultists criminal hideouts around the Mushin area of the state, fifty-two (52) suspected culprits were arrested while in preparation for tomorrow’s violent attacks in the state. 

“The suspects are currently detained in police custody and they will be charged to Court at the end of the investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, hereby issues a stern warning to hotel owners, managers of recreational facilities, and other establishments to refrain from allowing their premises to be used for meetings, gatherings and other violent activities by cult groups.

The full weight of the law will be fully applied on violators of the law.

“Parents and guardians are hereby strongly advised to prevail and counsel their children and wards to steer clear of cultism and all forms of violence and criminalities. 

The consequences of engaging in such activities are severe, and the Command will not hesitate to apprehend and prosecute offenders in this regard,” he said.

Hundeyin said the police boss also held an operational meeting with all the Anti Cultism Squads and special tactical team commanders in the state at the Command Headquarters, charging them to ensure that no cult group was allowed to wreak havoc or disturb the peace in the state.

He said crime prevention operatives and detectives of the command have been deployed and are on high alert, adding that they remain resolute in the mandate of protecting Lagosians and visitors to the state.

“The Lagos State Command therefore wishes to encourage the good people of the state to go about their lawful activities and other businesses without fear of harassment or intimidation, but to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency lines on 08063299264 and 08065154338,” he said.