ABEOKUTA – Ogun State Police Command on Wednesday said it has arrested 24 suspected cultists, who were allegedly responsible for several incidents of armed robberies and terrorism across the state in recent times.
The suspected criminals, who have allegedly confessed their memberships of both the dreaded cult groups “Eiye” Confraternity, Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe, otherwise known as “Aye” Confraternity secret cult groups, were arrested from major towns across the state which included Abeokuta, the state capital, Ijebu – Ode, Igbesa, as well as Agosasa in the border community of Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.
Parading the suspects, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Oyeyemi said arrest of the suspects became exigent in view of the sudden upsurge in activities of cult related killings witnessed in recent times within the state.
Oyeyemi emphasized that the incident, which had portrayed the state as “a safe haven” for criminals, compelled the police in the state to launch a “serious clampdown on those suspected to be behind the violent cult clashes which have left no fewer than five people dead” across Ogun.
Speaking with newsmen during the parade, Oyeyemi disclosed that raids on the hideouts of the suspected cultists were targeted at suppressing the rivalries and supremacy battle between the various cult groups in the state, particularly those who combined armed robbery with their membership of the secret cult groups.
The police spokesman further stated that the arrest was made possible through the combined efforts of members of the public and the collaboration of the state-owned community security operatives called the So-SAFE Corps.
Oyeyemi, however, called on parents and guardians in the state to prevail on their children to desist from engaging in criminal activities, stressing that the command will make life difficult for anyone who tries to disrupt peace being enjoyed in the state as the law enforcement agencies would be waiting for them.
Weapons recovered from the suspects included: locally made cut-to-size single-barrel guns; live cartridges, as well as assorted charms, and cutlasses.
