Operatives of Ijede Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected cultist and armed robber and recovered a locally made firearm.

The Command said it received a complaint on August 18, 2025, that an individual was brandishing a locally made gun and threatening members of the public at Sabon Kasuwa, Abule Eko. Acting on the report, the operatives traced the suspect, identified as Onamade Kayode, to an uncompleted building, where he was arrested.

Investigations revealed that the suspect, who was released from prison in 2022 for cultism-related offences, remains an active member of a cult group. The Command said the suspect admitted to having a firearm and led the operatives to a toilet pipe within the uncompleted building, where the weapon was recovered.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Ikeja Division arrested a one-chance kingpin and two members of his gang while responding to a distress call during a routine patrol along Agege Motor Road, Ikeja.

The suspects, 53-year-old Bode Oludayisin, 22-year-old Michael Sowunmi, and 20-year-old David Olawaye, were apprehended after a victim raised the alarm while being robbed inside the gang’s minibus. One of the suspects was identified as a wanted gang leader linked to several violent one-chance robberies across Lagos.

The operatives intercepted the suspects in an unregistered commercial minibus, which was confirmed as their operational vehicle. Items recovered include a Tecno Spark 20 smartphone belonging to a victim, an axe, two concrete interlock bricks, several heavy stones suspected to have been used to assault past victims, and a broken bottle. All have been registered as exhibits.

Investigations showed that the gang operated using commercial minibuses, known as korope, posing as passengers before picking up unsuspecting commuters from locations such as Oshodi. Victims were then diverted to unknown locations where they were robbed under threats, violence, and intimidation.

The case has been transferred to the Command’s Special Squad 1 for further investigation and to track down fleeing members of the gang.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers for their swift response and urged members of the public to be cautious, avoid unmarked vehicles, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.