As part of measures put in place to curb the rising spate of cultism in Lagos Island, 162 persons were arrested Weekend, in a joint raid by security agencies from different services.
The taskforce personnel led by Area A Commander, Edgar Imohimi, were drawn from Area ‘A’ Command, Lion building division, Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Police Mobile Squad 20, Directorate of State Security (DSS), the armed forces and members of Neighborhood Ascendancy Watch.
According to sources, the operatives had stormed the hideouts of the suspected cultists including LUTA, Bamgboshe, Masy,Oja-Oba and Adeniji Adele under bridge, at about 10.30pm and arrested 162 persons including two females.
Although it could not be ascertained as at press time if all the arrested perons were cultists, THISDAY however gathered that the interrogatory process would determine and separate the innocent from the guilty.
The source said interrogation had already commenced and at the end of the day, those that are innocent would be released while those fingered in connection with cultism would be prosecuted within the ambits of the law.
The source who spoke on strict condition of anonymity said the raid was part of the proactive and preventive measures put in place to nip the activities of these groups in the area.
He said, "Aside it being part of proactive measures, the raid became necessary following intelligence report from residents of the area, some of which were said to have been gripped by trepidation over activities of cultists which most times resulted into violent clashes.
“So, we acted on tip off and that is why we had to engage the services of members of the neighbourhood watch in the raid because they know the lay of the land and the hideouts.
"We then raided the hideouts and it was evident that some of them could be members of confraternity groups. But again, that would be determined at the end of investigation. Also, such raids would be a continuous one so as to flush it out totally."
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