In a swift and renewed determination to force cultism to the background, the Lagos State Police Command headed by Commissioner of Police, CP, Zubairu Muazu has declared war against cultists in the state with over 200 of them charged to court in the past two months.

Muazu at a press conference at the police headquarters issued a stern warning to youth to desist belonging to unholy association as the command will not spare anyone working in opposition to the peaceful existence of the people of the state.

The improved robustness put in place by the command’s Anti-Cultism Unit, headed by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Uduak Udom, seems to have up the game against cultism and police are winning the war.

Dependable police source disclosed to the DAILY INDEPENDENT that for the past two months, the war against cultism had seen over 200 suspected cultists in police cell and had been charged to different courts.

The dexterity with which the police arrest the suspected cultists had sent shivers down the spines of members and potential ones and the drive to get initiated had suddenly nosedived, even those who were proud of their association with tattoos as a symbol of belonging were now trying to remove them for fear of being arrested by men of the Anti-Cultism Unit.

It was gathered that this has been achieved due to the no nonsense stand of the new commander of the unit who has refused to be compromised but rather prefer justice to take its course.

Among such arrests recently was the last week’s arrest of a notorious high ranking cultist and a leader of Eiye Confraternity in Lagos, Samuel Ani, was arrested by the anti- cultism unit of the command

Sources said luck ran against Ani when he was nabbed by the Safer Highway and Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikorodu area of Lagos and handed over to the anti-cultism unit.

Dependable source said Ani was arrested following a tip-off received by the police about their illicit gathering.

According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu: “The Police received information at about 2000hrs on March 11, that some group of armed cultists was converging at Limited Bus-stop, Yarakun area of Ijede, Ikorodu.

“The Command swiftly mobilised to the scene and on sighting the operatives, the armed cultists scampered to different directions to avoid arrest but were chased.

“In the process, one of the suspects, Samuel Ani was arrested and a revolver pistol with four ammunition was recovered.

Further search conducted in his house led to further recovery of one revolver pistol, three AK- 47 live ammunition and Eiye confraternity cap.

“It was also revealed that the suspect is the leader of Eiye Confraternity in Ijede and Ikorodu environs.

In a related development, five members of Eiye and Aye cult group were arrested in Oworo and Surulere area of Lagos State.

The Police say the suspects were arrested on March 5, and 13 respectively.

According to the Command, the suspected cultists were arrested by SARS while attacking each other in Oworo and they have confessed to be members of Aiye confraternity.

Suspects arrested are: Ahmed Salami,23, Isaac Akinshe 18, Seye Yinka 34, Yemi Sodiq 30 and Ibrahim Tajudeen, 27.

Ibrahim who was said to have been terrorising Surulere and its environs was however arrested at a criminal hide-out in Shitta.

The CP also told journalists that a two cut to size locally made pistol and 12 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

He further said the suspected cultists will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.