The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested Idris Ayinla, a man suspected to be a member of a cult group, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State on Saturday.

Ayinla’s arrest occurred when a team of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad requested to search his Toyota Matrix and one of the occupants of the car instead offered to give the officers some money, according to a statement by the police.

Other occupants of the car took to their heels when they saw that the police were about to burst them, but the 33-year-old Ayinla was brought down by a gunshot fired by a police officer. The officers recovered “one semiautomatic pistol, four live ammunition and one hat with cult insignia from him”.

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“Operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in the early hours of July 8, 2023, arrested a suspected cultist in Ikoyi and recovered one semiautomatic pistol, four live ammunition and one hat with cult insignia from him,” the police statement said.

POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED CULTIST
– recover pistol

Operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in the early hours of July 8, 2023, arrested a suspected cultist in Ikoyi and recovered one semiautomatic pistol, four live ammunition and one hat with cult insignia from him. pic.twitter.com/wwgjBCjpAk

— Lagos State Police Command II (@rrslagos767) July 9, 2023

“The suspect, Idris Ayinla ‘m’ aged 33, alongside three other occupants were in a red Toyota Matrix with registration number EKY 638 EX, heading towards Oniru Beach when the operatives on routine patrol of Admiralty Road, Ikoyi flagged them down.

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“After the driver had brought the car to a stop, one of the occupants offered the officers some money, which they declined, rather insisting on searching the vehicle. Sensing danger, the suspects all ran out of the car and one of them, Idris Ayinla, shot at the operatives while attempting to escape. The operatives responded swiftly, as a result of which he sustained a gunshot wound on his leg, arrested him and recovered his firearm.

“The suspect has since been transferred to the Command headquarters for harmonization with ongoing investigations into activities of cultists within the state, after which all culpable suspects will be arraigned. Meanwhile efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

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“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, while commending the Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi and his operatives for their alertness and dedication to duty, assures Lagosians of the Command’s Continued resolve to ensure their optimum safety and security.”