Police in Lagos State say they have recovered a locally made firearm during an investigation into alleged cult-related activities in the Lekki-Ajah axis, following the arrest of four men.

The Lagos State Police Command said the arrests were made between 2 and 9 October 2026 following intelligence received by its operatives about suspected cult activities in Lekki, Ajah, Elemoro and surrounding communities.

The suspects are being investigated for alleged conspiracy and membership of an unlawful society, according to a police statement issued on Tuesday, 13 October.

How police traced the suspects

The police identified the suspects as Arisekola Ojo, 32; Oluwatobi Oyewole, 29; Oluwaseyi Odunewu, 32; and Olumagba Ifatope, 29.

According to the command, information obtained during questioning led investigators to search the residence of Odunewu, where they recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun.

The police said the suspects had made statements considered useful to the investigation but did not provide further details about the alleged activities of each individual.

The allegations have not been established in court. The suspects’ responses to the allegations and whether they have been formally charged were not stated in the police announcement.

Investigation continues as police seek other suspects

The Lagos State Police Command said its investigation was continuing, with efforts focused on identifying and apprehending other people allegedly connected to the suspected criminal activities.

Investigators are also seeking to recover additional firearms, the command said, although it did not disclose how many weapons it believes may be outstanding.

The announcement did not specify whether the four suspects were allegedly linked to a particular cult group or provide details of the incidents that initially prompted the intelligence operation.

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Why the operation matters for Lekki and Ajah residents

The arrests come amid the police command’s wider efforts to tackle cultism and other criminal activities across Lagos State.

For residents of Lekki, Ajah and Elemoro, the investigation raises questions about the extent of suspected cult activity in the affected areas and whether further arrests or weapon recoveries will follow.

The recovery of a firearm is a significant element of the investigation, but the police have yet to release details establishing how the weapon was allegedly connected to any specific incident.

Further information about the investigation, including possible charges and the identities of other suspects, could clarify the scope of the alleged criminal network.

Police urge residents to share security information

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling cult groups and other criminal networks.

He urged people involved in cultism and other criminal activities to desist, warning that offenders would face the consequences of the law.

The command also encouraged residents to provide credible and timely information to the police to support security efforts in their communities.

Residents can contact the Lagos State Police Command through the following emergency lines:

– 07061019374

– 08065154338

– 08063299264

– 08039344870

– 08080193432 (Marine)

– 09168630929

The police statement was signed by SP Abimbola Adebisi, the command’s Public Relations Officer, on 13 October 2026.

NigeriaUpdates will update this report if the police release further details about the investigation or the legal status of the suspects.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported major drug seizures across several Nigerian states, including 1.1 tonnes of cannabis in Cross River, 1,027kg of cannabis in Kaduna and more than 350,000 opioid tablets intercepted at Lagos airport.

The operations also led to arrests linked to suspected drug distribution networks, including the re-arrest of an 83-year-old woman in Abia State, a South African woman accused of trafficking cannabis through Rivers State and a suspect found with rifles and ammunition in Plateau State.

The agency disclosed the seizures in a statement issued on Sunday, 11 October 2026, detailing interdiction operations carried out at airports, along highways and at suspected drug storage locations.

Major cannabis seizures recorded in Cross River, Kaduna

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives arrested 46-year-old Adama Inuwa during a raid on Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area on 4 October.

The operation resulted in the recovery of 181 bags of cannabis weighing 1,100kg, alongside 17.15kg of cannabis seeds, according to the agency.

In Kaduna State, officers on patrol along the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway arrested 29-year-old Mohammed Musa with 31 jumbo bags and 775 blocks of cannabis, with a combined weight of 1,027kg.

A separate operation in Edo State led to the interception of a Toyota Camry allegedly conveying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 702.83kg at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, on 5 October.

Three suspects — Monday Orji, 52, Monday Lawal, 40, and Precious Uduegele, 20 — were arrested in connection with the seizure.

In Ondo State, NDLEA officers recovered 29 bags of cannabis weighing 290kg from a suspected hideout in the Shasha area of Akure, leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Happy Endurance.

Another raid in Oba-Ile, Akure, resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Tunde Adebayo and the seizure of 35 bags of cannabis weighing 351kg.

Lagos airport interceptions uncover opioid and synthetic cannabis shipments

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 354,000 tablets of tapentadol, an opioid pain medicine, in a shipment arriving from Pakistan.

The nine-carton consignment, weighing 307.20kg, arrived aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight on 29 September and was examined jointly by relevant officers on 6 October.

The agency also reported the discovery of 70 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid weighing 75.90kg, inside six Ghana-Must-Go bags in consolidated cargo from the United Kingdom.

The shipment had arrived on 29 September and was subsequently monitored as investigators traced those allegedly involved in collecting the bags.

A clearing agent, John Edrah, 54, was arrested on 30 September. Other arrests followed, including Uber driver Taofiq Ajibola, 54, who was allegedly collecting one of the bags from a logistics company in Mafoluku, Oshodi.

The statement also named Adetunji Adebayo and Kazeem Damola Dosunmu, 48, among those arrested in connection with the remaining bags.

According to the NDLEA, Ajibola said his consignment had been sent by a UK-based associate identified as Lukman Sa’idu, while Dosunmu attributed his shipment to another UK-based man identified as Yusuf.

These accounts were reported by the agency and have not been independently verified.

South African woman arrested over 32.74kg cannabis shipment

At the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives working with the Nigeria Customs Service arrested a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, over an alleged attempt to import 32.74kg of cannabis.

The agency said 30 parcels of Thai Loud, a cannabis variety, were concealed in two travelling bags.

The suspect reportedly travelled from Thailand through Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight before arriving in Port Harcourt. The NDLEA said she admitted to previous trafficking through other African countries and was expanding her route to the city.

Her account, as reported by the agency, could not be independently confirmed.

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83-year-old woman re-arrested in Abia

In Abia State, NDLEA officers arrested 83-year-old Uloma Uchechi Sunday at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area, on 7 October.

The agency said quantities of methamphetamine and Colorado were found tied around her waist with a wrapper. It also alleged that she operated a drug distribution point frequented by people involved in criminal activities.

Sunday had previously been arrested alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, on 17 May 2025.

According to the NDLEA, officers recovered 50g of methamphetamine, 522g of skunk cannabis, 260g of fresh cannabis leaves and 12g of tramadol during that operation.

The agency said both women pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. They paid the fines and were released.

The latest arrest represents a new allegation; the circumstances of the case and any subsequent court proceedings will determine its legal outcome.

Tramadol, diazepam intercepted in Taraba, Kano

In Taraba State, two men, Abdulrasheed Mohamed, 31, and Abubakar Saidu, 37, were arrested in Chanchanji village, Wukari Local Government Area, on 9 October.

The operation, supported by soldiers, led to the seizure of 166,200 tablets of tramadol, each labelled 225mg, with a combined reported weight of 107kg.

In Kano State, a stop-and-search operation along the Kano-Maiduguri Road on the same day resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Yahaya Musa.

Officers reportedly recovered 24,990 capsules of tramadol, 50,000 tablets of diazepam and 22,000 tablets of Exol-5.

In another Lagos operation, officers arrested Musbau Balogun Adekunle in Orile on 6 October and recovered 32.51kg of skunk cannabis and 52.65kg of cannabis seeds, weighing 85.16kg combined.

Rifles, ammunition recovered in Plateau raid

A raid on the residence of 45-year-old Christian Chukwudi Uju at Rukuba Road, Jos, Plateau State, on 8 October led to the recovery of suspected illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition.

The NDLEA listed the items seized as 47g of methamphetamine, two pump-action rifles, one locally made gun, 199 live cartridges, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one round of 9mm ammunition.

The seizure adds a firearms dimension to the agency’s reported drug enforcement operations, although the statement did not establish whether the weapons were connected to any specific violent crime.

NDLEA calls for sustained drug control efforts

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel in Lagos, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Cross River, Ondo and Plateau for the operations.

He urged officers nationwide to sustain what the agency described as a balanced approach to drug control.

The NDLEA also reported drug-prevention awareness programmes in schools, religious institutions and communities during the week. Participating institutions included Progressive Grammar School in Tede, Oyo State; Ehugbo Technical College in Afikpo, Ebonyi State; Baptist High School in Lambata, Niger State; and schools in Lagos, Kano and Ogun states.

The reported seizures span cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids and other controlled medicines, highlighting the range of substances confronting enforcement officers. The agency’s statement did not provide a consolidated estimate of the street value of the drugs seized or the total number of suspects expected to face prosecution.

NigeriaUpdates will continue to follow developments in the cases, including any court proceedings and further information released by the relevant authorities.

A community alert has led to the arrest of a man accused of removing an iron pole from the Mosa/Balogun River area in Ogun State, according to the state’s Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, known as So-Safe Corps.

The suspect, identified as Friday Amos Gabriel, was arrested on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after the Chairman of New Life Community Development Association (CDA), identified as Akinbobola, alerted security officials to a man reportedly carrying an iron pole within the community.

So-Safe Corps said the incident highlights the role of residents and community associations in reporting suspected theft and vandalism of public or community infrastructure.

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How the suspect was traced

According to a statement issued by the corps’ State Commander, Cmdr. (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, and signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, the community chairman contacted the Area Commander for Ilogbo Area Command, ACC Odukunle Oloyede, at about 6:30am.

The chairman reportedly told the commander that a man had been seen carrying an iron pole and was questioned about where he obtained it.

So-Safe Corps said the suspect subsequently stated that the pole had been removed from the Mosa/Balogun River area.

He was then arrested and taken into custody for further investigation.

Items recovered

The corps said an iPhone, Premier Lotto tickets valued at ₦4,900, a measuring tape, a torchlight, an iPhone charging cord, two T-shirts and two razor blades were recovered from the suspect.

The items, together with the suspect, were handed over to SWAT Base 5 for further investigation and what the corps described as necessary action.

The authorities have not established in the statement whether all the recovered items were connected to the alleged vandalism.

What happens next?

The case is expected to be investigated by the relevant security authorities, who will determine the circumstances surrounding the removal of the iron pole and whether the suspect should face prosecution.

An arrest or allegation does not by itself establish criminal guilt, and the suspect would be entitled to due process.

So-Safe urges residents to stay alert

So-Safe Corps commended the New Life CDA chairman for reporting the incident and urged residents to provide information about suspected vandalism, theft and other criminal activities.

The corps said timely information from members of the public could help security agencies respond more quickly to threats to community infrastructure.