The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of 14 suspected cultists around the Israel, Ipara and Ode axis of the state for unlawful assembly and breach of public peace.
The suspects were apprehended during an ongoing sweep operation aimed at curbing criminality and threats to public safety across the state.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the operation led to the recovery of three locally made pistols, 11 live cartridges, four rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, criminal charms, confraternity caps and a drum allegedly used for cult initiation.
Other items recovered include 19 mobile phones, a Samsung mini laptop and nine vehicles of various brands, some without registration plates and others bearing unauthorised dealer plates.
Babaseyi said actionable intelligence received at about 1:20 a.m. indicated that members of the Eiye Confraternity had gathered in large numbers at a bush location in Ipara-Remo, allegedly planning to initiate new members and conspire to breach public peace through unlawful assembly.
He explained that operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), supported by personnel from the Ipara and Isara divisions, swiftly carried out a coordinated operation at the location.
“Fourteen suspects were arrested, comprising 13 males and one female,” the police spokesman said.
Those arrested were identified as Solomon Shobamiwo, also known as ‘Solo Hot’; Farooq Ogunsola; Toheeb Abolade; Balogun Williams; Ayodele Abdulkareem; Adedapo Ogunsanya; Toheeb Saka; Akpan Dara; Micheal Olakemi; Habeeb Olayinka; Dapo Adeola; Adetunji Adeyemi; Henry Kingsley, and Nanso Blessing.
Babaseyi added that the suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court upon completion of the probe.
He assured residents that the command has sustained its intelligence-led patrols and sweep operations across the axis to apprehend fleeing suspects and ensure peace, security and public safety in affected communities.
