By Suleiman Shehu
The Oyo State Police Command on Monday paraded 15 suspected cultists and armed robbers, announcing the recovery of dangerous weapons and two stolen vehicles.
The suspects were presented at the Command’s headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, by the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Ayodele Sonubi, who disclosed that the suspects were involved in offences ranging from armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms to drug-related crimes.
Recovered items included five cultist jackets, three dane guns, one locally made gun, a long-barrel gun, three cutlasses, and a red cloth allegedly linked to cult activities.
Sonubi raised concerns over increasing reports of cult-related violence in parts of Ibadan, particularly in areas such as Apete, Abayomi (Iwo-Road axis), Ijokodo, Moniya, Monatan, Ojoo, Samonda, and Sango.
“Cultism poses a significant threat to public safety,” Sonubi said.
“The Oyo State Police Command has initiated strategic interventions, relying on intelligence gathering to curb this menace and prevent further violence.”
According to the CP, ongoing investigations suggest that much of the cult-related violence stems from retaliatory attacks between rival groups vying for dominance.
Highlighting recent operations, Sonubi stated that the anti-robbery section of the Criminal Intelligence Department conducted a sting operation on Friday in the Kajorepo/Ojoo area.
During the operation, three alleged members of the “Eiye” confraternity were arrested, including their suspected leader, who had reportedly participated in several deadly operations.
Items recovered included a red cloth, a blue beret with the confraternity’s logo, and a cutlass.
In another raid on Saturday afternoon in the Ijokodo area, three more suspected cultists were apprehended based on credible intelligence.
During the search, a dane gun and a locally made pistol were found hidden in the ceiling of their room.
Sonubi urged parents and community leaders to educate their children and followers about the dangers of cultism, warning that the police would continue to crack down on individuals and groups threatening public peace.
One of the suspects, while speaking to journalists, admitted to being a cultist but claimed to have renounced the practice in 2020.
However, he also confessed to participating in an initiation ceremony in 2018 for one of the recently arrested cultists.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring peace in the state, vowing that offenders would face the full weight of the law. (NAN)
