Thursday, May 14, 2026 - The Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested 24 suspected cultists during an initiation ceremony in Ile-Oluji, headquarters of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed
this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to him, the suspects, all alleged members of the
Aiye confraternity, were arrested on Sunday during the initiation of new
members.
Jimoh said the operation was carried out by operatives of
the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Akure following credible intelligence.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Special
Anti-Cultism Squad, Akure, swung into action on Sunday, May 10, 2026, leading
to the successful interception and arrest of the suspects,” he said.
He explained that preliminary investigations revealed that
the suspects allegedly converged from different parts of the state and beyond
for initiation rites and a secret cult meeting held in a bush within Ile-Oluji.
The police spokesman noted that the operation was executed
professionally and without incident, preventing what could have posed a serious
threat to public peace and security in the area.
Items recovered from the suspects included two Aiye
confraternity crested caps, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and several
mobile phones believed to be relevant to ongoing investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal,
warned criminal elements and individuals involved in cult-related activities to
desist immediately.
He stated that the command remained committed to
identifying, tracking, and prosecuting individuals involved in activities
capable of disrupting public order.
Lawal reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for cultism,
criminal conspiracy, and other violent crimes threatening the safety of
residents in the state.
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