Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists At The Polytechnic Ibadan, Recover Pistol, Charms

The arrest, which occurred after a police operation, led to the recovery of a locally made double-barrel pistol, two live cartridges and a black bag containing charms.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a notorious secret cult group at The Polytechnic Ibadan following a credible intelligence that a violent clash was imminent within the institution.

The arrest, which occurred after a police operation, led to the recovery of a locally made double-barrel pistol, two live cartridges and a black bag containing charms.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, who detailed how the operation was executed.

According to the statement, the police acted on timely information provided by a concerned member of the institution who alerted authorities that a group of young men suspected to be members of a secret cult were sighted roaming around the campus with the intent to unleash violence on a rival group.

The statement read, “Following a credible intelligence which was promptly reported to the Police by a good Samaritan from the institution, that a group of young men suspected to be members of a secret cult were roaming within the campus with intent to unleash violence on a rival group, a team of Police Operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Sango Division, swiftly mobilized to the institution.”

The police identified the suspects as Lawal Opeyemi, also known as Aiki, 31, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, popularly called Bojan, 29. Both suspects are residents of the Apete area of Ibadan.

The statement noted that the duo was apprehended at the scene, and a search conducted on them yielded incriminating items.

“The duo of Lawal Opeyemi a.k.a “Aiki” ‘m’, aged 31 years, and Olaniyan Opeyemi a.k.a “Bojan” ‘m’, aged 29 years, both of Apete area, Ibadan, were arrested at the scene. A search conducted on them led to the recovery of one locally made double-barrel pistol, two live cartridges, and a black bag containing charms,” the police said.

Preliminary investigations, according to the Command, suggest that the suspects may have played significant roles in previous cult-related disturbances within the institution.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects have allegedly been responsible for a series of cult-related clashes within the institution. During interrogation, they confessed to being members of the Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity and have been cooperating with investigators,” the statement added.

The Eiye Confraternity, also known as the National Association of Air Lords, is one of several secret cult groups that have been linked to violent clashes in Nigerian tertiary institutions over the years.

Police authorities further disclosed that investigations are ongoing to unravel the motive behind a sinister gathering, track down other fleeing members of the gang and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, has since directed that the suspects be transferred to the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit for discreet and thorough investigation.

CP Haruna commended the school authorities for their timely cooperation and intelligence sharing, stressing that effective community partnership remains critical to curbing violent crimes and ensuring public safety.

The police chief further used the opportunity to warn parents and guardians against allowing their children and wards to be lured into secret cults and other violent groups