Police Operatives attached to Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested a suspected cultist in highbrow Ikoyi.
The suspect identified as Idris Ayinla was reportedly intercepted by police detectives on routine check up along Oniru area of Ikoyi, while he was in a car with his colleagues perhaps going to the Oniru beach.
A statement by the Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) Benjamin Hundeyin said the 33-year-old suspect fired at the Police operatives after they offered them bribe, which was turned down.
According to him, his colleagues reportedly jumped down from the car and took to their heels following which he was promptly rounded up and taken to custody.
He said: “Police operatives 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 suspect, Idris Ayinla, ‘m’, 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.
“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 harmonisation 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. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command (CP) Idowu Owohunwa, while commending the Commander RRS, Chief Superintendent of Police (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.”
