The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity cult group and recovered a locally made Beretta pistol and a 9mm live ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Mushin.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following intelligence on the activities of suspected cult groups operating in the area.

One of the suspects, identified as Irawo Moshod, was first arrested during the operation. Police said Moshod allegedly admitted to being a former chairman of the Aiye Confraternity and provided information that led investigators to other members of the group.

According to the police, the suspect also made disclosures concerning his alleged involvement in several killings in Mushin and other parts of Lagos State.

Acting on the information, VCRU operatives moved to Idi-Oro, Mushin, where they recovered a locally made Beretta pistol and one 9mm live ammunition.

Three other suspects — Abayomi James, 29; Farouq Bankole, 28; and Steven Sunday, 19 — were subsequently arrested at Aganran by Ojuwoye.

The police said the three suspects admitted to being members of the Aiye Confraternity and allegedly disclosed that the recovered firearm was obtained from a man identified as Rilwan, said to be the number one member of the group.

The suspects remain in police custody and are assisting investigators as efforts intensify to track down other members of the alleged cult network.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as a proactive and intelligence-driven operation.

The Commissioner warned cultists and other criminal elements in Lagos to abandon their activities or face the full force of the law.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines for prompt response.

Police emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.

The investigation is ongoing.