Cultists go haywire, attack policemen with axes, bottles, others

The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) have arrested 21 notorious miscreants/cultists during a raid on criminal hideouts in Lagos

The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who led the enforcement team, disclosed that 21 suspects were arrested during an enforcement operation on criminal hideouts at Ogudu and Ajah as directed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

According to Egbeyemi: “During the enforcement exercise, a large number of miscreants/cultists launched a serious attack on the officers with broken bottles, stones, axes and other dangerous weapons from different spots, including uncompleted buildings.”

He said upon the attack, officers of the Agency stood their ground and flushed them out from their hideouts, while some of them escaped through the roof.

Egbeyemi maintained that those residing in the areas have complained on the attack of innocent members of the public by these miscreants and cult gangs, especially in the early hours of the day and late at night.

He added: “Let me sound a note of warning to owners of structures harbouring criminal elements to immediately flush them out as government would not hesitate to demolish any building occupied by miscreants and cultists across the State.”

He said Odumosu has directed that the 21 arrested notorious miscreants/cultists be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, in line with the directives of the Lagos State Government on social distancing, use of nose-mask and ban on activities of commercial motorcyclists across the State as part of efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, the Agency has impounded 78 commercial motorcycles for engaging in illegal activities around Onipanu, Adekunle and Igbo-efon by Jakande area of Lekki.

The Chairman, who confirmed the development, said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration is doing everything possible to flatten the curve of the Coronavirus pandemic in the State and implored the citizens to strictly adhere to all the safety precautions issued such as maintaining social distancing and usage of nose masks.