Police nab 14 suspected Cultists, recover weapons in Ogun sweep

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 14 youths suspected to be members of a cult group during a coordinated sweep operation across the Isara, Ipara and Ode axis of the state, recovering arms, ammunition and other incriminating items.

The suspects were arrested for unlawful assembly and alleged conspiracy to breach public peace.

Items recovered from them include three locally made pistols, 11 live cartridges, four rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, criminal charms, confraternity caps, a drum believed to be used for cult initiation, 19 mobile phones, a Samsung mini laptop and nine vehicles of various brands.

Some of the vehicles were without registration numbers, while others bore unauthorised dealer plates.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the arrests followed actionable intelligence received in the early hours of January 24, 2026.

According to him, intelligence reports indicated that suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity had converged at a bush location in Ipara-Remo, allegedly to initiate new members and plan activities capable of disrupting public order.

“Acting swiftly, a joint team of operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), with support from personnel of the Ipara and Isara divisions, carried out a coordinated operation which led to the arrest of 14 suspects,” Babaseyi said.

He disclosed that those arrested include 13 male and one female, namely Solomon Shobamiwo, also known as “Solo Hot”; Farooq Ogunsola; Toheeb Abolade; Balogun Williams; Ayodele Abdulkareem; Adedapo Ogunsanya; Toheeb Saka; Akpan Dara; Michael Olakemi; Habeeb Olayinka; Dapo Adeola; Adetunji Adeyemi; Henry Kingsley, and Nanso Blessing.

Babaseyi added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, condemned cultism, unlawful assembly and all forms of criminal activity, urging youths to renounce cult-related associations. He assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.

He also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command’s emergency lines to support ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at sustaining peace and security.