Police Arrest 24 Suspected Cultists During Initiation in Ondo Community
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected cult members during a raid on an alleged initiation ground in Ile-Oluji, as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state.
According to the Command, operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, Akure, acted on intelligence reports and stormed a secluded bush area in Ile-Oluji on Saturday, May 10, 2026, where the suspects were reportedly holding initiation rites and a secret cult meeting linked to the dreaded Aiye Confraternity.
Police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the suspects, all males, allegedly gathered from different parts of Ondo State and neighbouring areas before they were intercepted by security operatives.
Items recovered during the operation included two crested caps allegedly belonging to the Aiye Confraternity, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and several mobile phones believed to be connected to the ongoing investigation.
The statement noted that the operation was carried out without incident, preventing what the police described as a potential threat to public peace and security in the community.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, criminal conspiracy and other violent crimes.
He also praised the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for supporting intelligence-driven policing strategies aimed at tackling criminal networks nationwide.
The police boss warned individuals involved in cult-related activities to desist, stressing that the Command remained committed to identifying, tracking and prosecuting anyone found disrupting public order in the state.
The Command added that investigations were ongoing to unravel the full network behind the alleged cult activities and bring all culpable persons to justice.
