As part of efforts to end cultism across Ogun State, the Nigerian Police has arrested no fewer than 30 alleged cultists and recovered four vehicles during a coordinated operation that disrupted an initiation procession in Isara-Remo axis of the state.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division, followed credible intelligence reports of a gathering linked to cult-related activities at an uncompleted building in the community.
As gathered on Thursday, the suspects were arrested after intelligence revealed that a group of young men had converged at the location for what investigators described as an unlawful assembly involving meetings, chanting, alcohol consumption, and suspected initiation activities.
The Guild learnt that the Commander of the VCRU, acting swiftly on the information, mobilised a combined tactical team to storm the venue and disperse the gathering.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 30 male suspects, while several others reportedly fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives.
Among those arrested are Muiz Olawale, Adeniji Akinwale, Ajayi Victor, Damilola Oluwasegun, Adewale Olayemi, Aminu Rahmon, Olodudu Ademola, Matthew Imoleayo, Adenle Habeb, Lekan Qudus, Olamilekan Ayanleke, Adegbasa Ezekiel, Ibukun Adeniyi, Abiodun Babatunde, Oshofolahan Michael, Salau Adedeji, Benjamin Kehinde, Magnus Elijah, Oluwadamilare Samson, Oyebowale Ojutona, Abiodun Makanjuola, Idowu Toheeb, Olamide Sunday, Malik Also, Abdullahi Damilola, Israel Ayomikun, Oyeledun Ezekiel, Adelabu Imoleayo, Ajayi Oluwasegun and Olaawun Faith.
Police also recovered four vehicles allegedly abandoned by fleeing suspects during the raid. Other items recovered at the scene included a jackknife, a local drum, a traditional “sekere” rattle, and several bottles suspected to have been used for the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abeokuta for further investigation.
According to sources at the command, they will be arraigned before the court upon the conclusion of investigations, just as efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest other suspects who escaped during the operation.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, in a statement released by the Command spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, praised the officers involved for their swift response, discipline, and professionalism.
He described the successful operation as a clear demonstration of the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and its determination to rid Ogun State of cult-related violence and criminality.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains resolute in its zero-tolerance stance against cultism and all forms of violent crime,” the commissioner stated, warning that criminal groups would find no safe haven anywhere within the state.