Nigeria, July 9 -- The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across the state ahead of the annual 7 July cult-related activities.

The command's spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

She explained that the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, following intelligence reports of planned attacks by rival cult groups.

According to the police, the operation involved Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit.

The statement said various units of police operatives simultaneously raided i...