The police in Ogun State have arrested 116 suspected cult members in the Ifo area of the state.
The cultists, 70 males and 46 females, who are members of the Aye Confraternity, were arrested by the command’s Anti-Cultism Squad at Galaxy Hotel, Ibogun Road.
They were picked up about 0142hrs.
According to a statement by the command, the police had a security report on the activities of the cultists in the area, and that they would be having their initiation and anniversary ceremonies.
Following the report, the Anti-Cultism Squad was drafted to the scene, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Items recovered from them include four axes, seven cutlasses, anniversary invitation cards, banners, axes, illicit drugs, and cannabis.
The statement said: “Today 26/08/23 at about 0105hrs, based on intelligence received on the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Neo Black Movement, a.k.a Aye Confraternity, Ifo Forum, the Commissioner of Police directed the Tactical Unit and men from Ota Area Command to the scene.
“Surveillance was mounted and over 300 cult members were sighted. These included female invitees gathered for the celebration to mark Aye Day in Ogun State.
“On sighting the team of policemen who had already cordoned off the scene, they fled in different directions and 116 suspects were arrested, including 70 males and 46 females.
“Exhibits recovered from the scene during operation include four axes, representing the symbol of their confraternity, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, cultist anniversary banner among other recoveries.”
The suspects have been taken to the Eleweran police command headquarters and are currently undergoing interrogation.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Abiodun Alamutu warned that cultists and other criminal elements should stay clear of the state.
He said the police command under him will not tolerate any criminality in whatever guise, adding that all formations in the state have the mandate to comb all dark spots to rid the state of criminals.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Delta State Police Command have foiled a cult initiation ceremony and arrested a notorious cultist who has been terrorizing Oghara community and environs in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, August 28, 2023, said police operatives arrested the notorious cultist, Godfrey Tietie a.k.a “Don Baby” at Ogorode road in Sapele and recovered one AK-47 rifles, one locally made fabricated revolver pistol from him.
“On 20/8/2023, operatives of the Command De-coy squad acting on credible intelligence gathered on the activities of one Godfrey Tietie, a notorious cultist who has been terrorizing Oghara and environs, the operatives stormed his premises in a covert operation and arrested the said Godfrey Tietie a.k.a “Don Baby” of Oghara Town in Ethiope West LGA Delta State,” the statement read.
“The 40-year-old male suspect was arrested at Ogorode Road by Texaco in Sapele and upon search, a locally made revolver pistol was recovered from him. Investigation revealed that the suspect is a member of Aiye confraternity and is also suspected to be a gun runner who supplies guns to cultists in Sapele, Oghara, and environs. Investigation is ongoing,”
“On 26/8/2023, at about 0600hours, a police patrol team attached to ‘C’ division Asaba in a combined effort with vigilantes while on patrol around second Niger bridge sighted a young man carrying a sack bag, the suspect on noticing the police took to flight leaving behind the sack bag. When the bag was searched, one AK-47 rifle was recovered and effort to arrest the fleeing suspect is ongoing,”
The PPRO said police operatives foiled a cult initiation at a criminal hideout in Ogwashi-Uku and recovered one locally made pistol and four rounds of live ammunition.
“On 24/8/2023, at about 0245 hours, operatives of the Command’s Raiders squad led by DSP Akanya Agboga stormed a criminal hideout along Isa-Ogwashi-Uku Aniocha South LGA, where some suspected cultists were holding their initiation ceremony. The suspects on sighting the police took to their heels in a different direction and escaped, upon search of the premises, one locally fabricated Berretta pistol, and four rounds of live ammunition were recovered,” he stated.
“On Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, at about 1600hrs based on credible intelligence gathered over the activities of some criminal elements operating within Warri, Udu, Koko and proximate environs, the DPO Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, led the Surveillance Team and trailed the hoodlums to their hideout located at Aladja Grammar School in Aladja Town Udu Local Government
“However, upon sighting the police, the hoodlums took to their heels; a search was conducted immediately around the uncompleted building and a sack bag was found
“Upon searching the sack bag, the following items were recovered: one AK47 Rifle, one magazine loaded with seven (7) rounds of 7.62mm Ammunitions, one English pump action gun with three (3) live cartridges, and two cut-to-size Double Barrel Gun. Efforts are on top gear to identify and arrest the said hoodlums,”
“In a similar occurrence, on the 20th of August, 2023 at approximately 1509hrs, the DPO Ekpan received a phone call from one Alhaji (name withheld) of Warri Sapele Road. It was revealed that some group of persons were sighted suspiciously within the yard. However, the civilian security/operatives in the yard flashed their torchlight on the suspected criminals who immediately fled and abandoned a sack
“Upon close look into the sack, two locally made single barrel guns, all detachable with 18 live cartridges. The DPO detailed the men of the division to the scene, where firearms and ammunition were recovered and registered as exhibits. Efforts are on to trace and identify the hoodlums who are still at large,”
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Wale Abass PSC urges members of the public particularly parents and guardians to pay close attention to their wards and discourage them from engaging in cultism and other vices
“Crime does not pay and the command will do all it takes to ensure that crime does not thrive in the State. The CP also appeals to members of the public to help the police with any useful, timely, and credible information that will help the command eradicate crime in the state.”
