Ondo Police Disrupt Cult Initiation, Arrest 25 Suspected Members

Ondo Police Disrupt Cult Initiation, Arrest 25 Suspected Members

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Police Nab Fake Midwife, Prophetess Over Suspected Maternal Deaths in Ondo The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspects, including a self-acclaimed midwife and a prophetess, in connection with separate cases of alleged maternal and infant deaths in Akure and Emure-Ile. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the arrests followed tragic incidents recorded under suspicious circumstances in both locations. In the first case, reported on April 16, 2026, a woman identified as Mrs. Bawa Blessing reportedly died after going into labour at a private residence in the Gloryland area of Akure. The residence, said to belong to one Elizabeth Aremu, who allegedly posed as a midwife, became the scene of the tragedy after the victim developed complications shortly after delivery and died before she could be moved to a hospital. Police detectives who visited the location discovered the lifeless body of a newborn wrapped in a sack. The suspect was subsequently arrested. In a separate incident reported on April 11, 2026, a 20-year-old woman, Genifer Sunday, was taken to a church in Emure-Ile during labour. The church’s prophetess, identified as Blessing Efiong, allegedly handled the delivery. The newborn reportedly died at the scene, while the mother later died en route to a hospital after developing complications. The prophetess has also been taken into custody. The police said the remains of the deceased mothers and their infants have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, and the Federal Medical Centre morgue for preservation and autopsy. The Command assured that comprehensive investigations are ongoing to determine the exact causes of the deaths and to ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution. It also cautioned the public against seeking medical care from unqualified individuals, stressing the importance of using licensed healthcare facilities, particularly for critical procedures such as childbirth. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while appreciating the support and leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies as efforts continue to curb criminal practices across the state.

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11th January, 2026 Akure, Ondo State

The Ondo State Police Command has foiled a planned cult initiation ceremony in Uso community, leading to the arrest of 25 suspected members of the Neo Black Movement (NBM).
The operation, which took place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, followed credible intelligence received from a concerned resident who alerted the police about the impending initiation of new cult members. Acting on the tip-off, operatives of the Command were immediately deployed to the area and successfully disrupted the event using intelligence-driven strategies.
According to police sources, the suspects were arrested at the scene and were drawn from Ondo, Osun, Lagos, and Edo states. Items recovered during the operation include a Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle and an unregistered Daylong motorcycle.
The arrested individuals are currently in police custody and have reportedly made confessional statements admitting their involvement in cult-related activities. The Police say they will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, praised the professionalism and swift response of the operatives involved. He reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain its crackdown on cultism and other criminal activities across the state.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, noting that his leadership and strategic guidance have strengthened anti-cult operations within the Command.
CP Lawal further warned youths against engaging in cultism, stressing that such activities only result in severe legal and social consequences. He assured residents of the Command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security and encouraged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police.