Three suspected cultists arrested over abduction, murder of Kwara Poly student

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Operatives of Kwara Police Command have arrested three suspected members of notorious Eiye Confraternity cult gang over alleged involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of Sodiq Durodola Olaniyi a 29-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic.

SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the spokesperson for Kwara Command in a statement on Thursday said the suspects identified as Adeoye Babatunde Alimi (23), alias “Solar”; Bernard Kayode (25), alias “KK”; and Owoyemi Bashiru (27), alias “GDP, were arrested after a thorough and painstaking investigation by operatives of the state’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

The Police spokesperson said acting on credible intelligence and sustained investigation, VCRU operatives on Monday, 29th June 2026, conducted coordinated tactical operations on identified cult hideouts within Ilorin metropolis, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a violent cult group allegedly responsible for the abduction of Olaniyi, an indigene of Oyo State who had been missing since 4th June 2026.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their respective roles in the crime and disclosed that the victim was executed by members of the cult group after his abduction,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.

The Kwara Police Command spokesperson added Investigation further revealed that the criminal gang comprises 12 members, with nine other suspects currently at large.

She said tactical efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, dismantling of the criminal network and recover the corpse of the victim.

“The suspects presently in custody are also assisting investigators with useful information regarding other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the group within Ilorin metropolis. Investigation is ongoing, and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations,” the spokesperson concluded.