Lagos Police arrest suspected cultist, recover pistol

The Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a suspected cult member, seizing a semiautomatic pistol, four live rounds of ammunition, and a cult emblem-adorned hat from his possession.

This information was disclosed in a statement issued by the Lagos State Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, and shared on the command’s Twitter page on Sunday.

According to the statement, the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Idris Ayinla, was traveling in a red Toyota Matrix with three other occupants en route to Oniru Beach. During a routine patrol on Admiralty Road, Ikoyi, the officers signaled the vehicle to stop.

After the driver complied, one of the occupants attempted to bribe the officers, but they refused the offer and insisted on searching the vehicle. Sensing trouble, all the suspects fled from the car. However, Idris Ayinla fired at the officers while attempting to escape.

Swiftly responding, the officers incapacitated him with a gunshot to the leg, apprehended him, and retrieved his firearm.

“The suspect has since been transferred to the Command headquarters for harmonization with ongoing investigations into activities of cultists within the state, after which all culpable suspects will be arraigned. Meanwhile, efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.