Police nab six cult suspects over deadly Lagos clash

DDM News

(DDM) – The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six men in connection with the brutal murder of a 30-year-old resident, identified as Kamoru, popularly known as “Keeper,” during a violent cult clash in Ebute Meta.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the suspects, Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Olamilekan Oluwatosin (27), Olalekan Olugbodi (54), and Ibrahim Oladimeji (22), were apprehended on July 17, 2025.

The arrests followed a sting operation carried out by detectives from the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Surulere after weeks of surveillance.

Hundeyin described the operation as “intelligence-led,” noting that the suspects are members of a notorious cult gang responsible for terrorising residents of Ebute Meta and neighbouring areas.

According to police sources, the deadly incident occurred in broad daylight when rival cult groups clashed in a series of reprisal attacks.

Witnesses reported that Keeper was both hacked and shot, sparking panic and forcing residents to flee for safety.

“These are not just ordinary street boys,” a security source revealed.

“They belong to a coordinated cult network with access to dangerous weapons.

We are still tracking other members who escaped arrest.”

The police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects and recover the “operational tools” allegedly used in the killing, including locally made firearms, cutlasses, and axes.

All six arrested suspects have since been charged to court and remanded in custody pending trial.

Authorities say their prosecution will send a strong message to criminal gangs operating in Lagos.

Cult-related violence has long plagued parts of Lagos State, with Ebute Meta, Mushin, and Bariga identified as high-risk zones.

Security analysts note that such clashes often stem from territorial disputes, revenge killings, and the struggle for control of illicit revenue streams.

The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to dismantling cult groups across the state.

Residents are urged to provide information that could help security agencies prevent further bloodshed.

The incident underscores a broader challenge for law enforcement in Nigeria’s commercial capital, where cult violence continues to claim lives despite repeated crackdowns.

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