The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cultists at the The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in a late-night operation that also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Ibadan, saying the suspects were apprehended while allegedly planning a meeting capable of triggering a breach of public peace.
According to him, the arrested individuals are suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity.
He explained that the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, personally led a team of operatives to the identified location of the gathering after securing approval from the institution’s authorities.
“The operation was executed with precision and professionalism,” the statement said.
Olayinka added that a total of 16 suspects, comprising 14 males and two females, were arrested at and around the venue of the planned meeting.
He noted that preliminary investigations indicated that some of the suspects were already on the Command’s watchlist for alleged involvement in murder cases and other cult-related activities within the state.
Items recovered from them include two locally fabricated cut-to-size guns, two English pistols, 16 live cartridges, four axes, and assorted charms.
The police spokesman said investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in cult activities and to track down other fleeing members of the group.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against cultism and other violent crimes across Oyo State, assuring residents of improved security and intensified surveillance.