Police finally capture notorious Lagos cult leader

A 44-year-old man, suspected to be a notorious cult leader and hired killer long feared in the Mushin area of Lagos, has been taken into custody by the Lagos State Police Command.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, announced the arrest on Friday, revealing that the suspect was captured at a hideout in Agbado, Ogun State, following numerous unsuccessful attempts by the Tactical Squad.

“Today, operatives of the Tactical Squad, during a special operation codenamed ‘Silence, Speed and Surprise’, successfully trailed and arrested the notorious suspect,” Hundeyin said in the statement.

He explained that the suspect had collaborated with various gangs and criminal elements, orchestrating violent activities across Mushin and its environs for many years.

Describing him as the most wanted figure in recent criminal investigations in Lagos, Hundeyin said the arrest marked a significant achievement in the command’s ongoing battle against violent crime.

Between 2009 and 2024, the suspect is believed to have led multiple violent incidents—including armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, and cult-related killings—across Mushin.

“His criminal reign spread fear among residents and posed a significant threat to peace and order in Mushin and other parts of Lagos,” Hundeyin stated.

He added that the suspect’s actions inflicted deep emotional trauma on numerous families and left lasting scars on affected communities.

Despite evading capture by relocating from one state to another, police continued efforts to track him down and eventually succeeded.

During a search of the suspect’s Mushin residence, police recovered an assortment of weapons and items linked to his alleged crimes.

Among the items seized were two AK-47 rifles, a K2 rifle, a Red Ryder rifle, three pump-action guns, two locally fabricated pistols, and various rounds of ammunition.

Officers also found five magazines, 57 live cartridges, 70 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 27 rounds of 9mm bullets, an expended 5.56mm shell, a dagger, and three walkie-talkies.

In addition, nine international passports bearing different identities were discovered at the property.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Owohunwa Jimoh, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to widen the investigation and arrest any collaborators.

Already, four families have come forward to identify the suspect as the individual responsible for the deaths of their relatives.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to safety, CP Jimoh commended the officers involved for their bravery and urged residents to continue sharing timely and reliable information with law enforcement.

“The suspect remains in custody under tight security and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.

“The Command remains committed to making Lagos unsafe for criminals while protecting residents and visitors,” Jimoh added.

He further encouraged the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and await the findings of the ongoing investigation, which will be made available to the public.