In a decisive crackdown on cult-related activities and other emerging threats to public peace, operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested Eight (8) suspected cultists and recovered firearms and dangerous weapons during coordinated operations across the Ilorin metropolis.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Ilorin by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
SP Ejire-Adeyemi said the operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams of the Command, acted on credible intelligence and conducted a targeted raid at a suspected cultist’s hideout located in the Akuo and Fagba Area, Ilorin.
He said the operation led to the arrest of Eight (8) suspected cultists: Ismail Sodiq ‘M’ 35yrs; Ibrahim Saheed ‘M’ 26yrs; Feyikemi Odoje ‘F’ 28yrs; Ishola Faisat F’ 23yrs; Abubakar Zainab ‘F’ 22yrs; Azeez Olarenwaju ‘M’ 27yrs; Soliu Ibrahim ‘M’ 22yrs and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir ‘M’ 24yrs.
The police spokesman added that during the operations, a cache of dangerous weapons and other incriminating items were recovered.
Exhibits recovered include: two (2) locally made pistols, one (1) pump-action shotgun, two (2) cut-to-size shotguns, twenty-five expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons capable of being used to facilitate violent crimes and threaten public safety.
He said: “The arrests and recoveries underscore the Command’s commitment to denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate, while strengthening ongoing efforts to rid the State of cultism and other forms of violent criminality.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the extent of each suspect’s involvement, identify other members of the criminal network, and apprehend fleeing accomplices.
“Those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Adekimi Ojo, as attributing the operational success to the intelligence-led policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing and public collaboration.