Tactical operatives of the State Police Command have arrested five suspected cultists identified as Victor Christian ‘m’, aged 43; Samuel Success ‘m’, aged 29; Balogun Emmanuel ‘m’, aged 43; Wisdom Chukwuemeka ‘m’, aged 28; and Oche Job ‘m’, aged 39, following a violent clash between rival cult groups in the Onireke and Isashi areas of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi disclosed in a statement on Monday. She noted that the swift, coordinated response of the tactical squad operatives prevented further attacks, restored normalcy to the area, and reinforced the police presence in the two communities.
“On October 4, 2025, at about 2200hrs, tactical squad operatives of the Command responded to a distress call reporting a violent clash between suspected rival cult groups in the Onireke and Isashi areas of Lagos State.
“Acting swiftly, the commanders of the tactical squad operatives and the Divisional Police Officer led crack tactical operatives and detectives from the police division to the scene, where three victims were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Unfortunately, one of the victims was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty at Badagry General Hospital,” the statement read.
According to Adebisi, an immediate raid of the entire area by the joint police team comprising the conventional police team, the tactical squad units, and other detectives led to the arrest of five of the suspects directly responsible for the attack and death of the victim at a hotel in the locality.
“A thorough search of the premises and the operational vehicle of the arrested cultists led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons used in cult clashes. Exhibits recovered include one locally-made pistol, two pump-action guns, 52 live cartridges, two expended cartridges, one Toyota Avalon with registration number KTU 610 JB.”
Other items recovered include, one HP laptop, one computer mouse, one cutlass, one Nigeria International Passport bearing the name Ekomafe Gregory Dickson, two Samsung Android phones, two iPhones, one additional Android phone, and one small Nokia phone.
“All recovered items have been properly documented and registered as exhibits for ongoing investigation. The five suspects are currently detained in police custody and will be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction upon completion of the investigation.
“Efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the cult still at large, while the police patrol teams and tactical squads have been deployed to the affected area. The location is under close police surveillance to prevent any reprisal attacks, protect lives and property, and ensure sustained public safety throughout the state,” the PPRO stated.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the professionalism and swift response of the operatives, and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering determination to stamp out cultism and related crimes across the state.
He urges residents to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation. He further assures adequate security and safety in the affected areas.