The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended 15 suspected cultists and armed robbers in Ibadan, the state capital. The suspects were paraded on Monday by the State Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, at the Command headquarters in Eleyele.
According to Commissioner Sonubi, the suspects were arrested following a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at combating cultism and related criminal activities in the state. Sonubi expressed concern over the rising menace of cultism, stating that it poses a significant threat to public safety.
During the operation, several incriminating items were seized, including five jackets with cultism inscriptions, three dane guns, one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size gun, and one long-barrel gun. Other items seized include a Toyota Camry with registration number KTU 41 JH, a red cloth, a powder blue beret with inscriptions, and three cutlasses.
The Commissioner revealed that cult-related activities have been reported in several areas across Ibadan, including Apete, Abayomi (Iwo-Road axis), Ijokodo, Moniya, Monatan, Ojoo, Samonda, and Sango. He explained that these experiences of cult-related violence are retaliatory-driven, embedded with a quest for absolute dominance by these sinister cult groups against their rivals.
To address the issue, the Command has employed intelligence gathering, advocacy campaigns, stakeholder meetings, and regular raids to stem the spread of violence. Sonubi appealed to parents, guardians, and community leaders to dissuade their wards from engaging in cultism, warning that the police would not hesitate to bring perpetrators to justice.
The Commissioner assured residents of “high-level visibility policing, coordinated stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led raids” aimed at maintaining law and order. He also emphasized improvements in the supervision of field officers, particularly junior cadres, to prevent cases of professional misconduct, incivility, and extortion.
Sonubi concluded by stating that the Oyo State Police Command under his watch is committed to ensuring the relative tranquility of the state. He urged residents to cooperate with the police and provide useful information to aid in the fight against cultism and other criminal activities.
The arrest of the 15 suspected cultists and armed robbers is a significant milestone in the Command’s efforts to combat cultism and related criminal activities in the state. The police have pledged to continue working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of residents.
The Oyo State Police Command has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the menace of cultism and other criminal activities in the state. With the continued support of residents and stakeholders, the Command is confident that it can maintain law and order and ensure the relative tranquility of the state.
