Police operatives have disrupted a suspected gathering of Aiye confraternity cult gang in Oyo town, Oyo State, with three of the cult members arrested.
DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the spokesperson for the Oyo Police Command announced this in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, operatives of the Atiba Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), swiftly mobilized to Bode Thomas Secondary School, Oyo, where a large number of individuals dressed in black were observed converging for a suspected secret cult meeting.
Ayanlade said on sighting the police operatives, members of the group, numbering about 30, fled in different directions into nearby bushes.
However, he said the police operatives were able to arrest three suspected members of the cult gang identified as Jelili Taiwo Kazeem, male, aged 20, Toheeb Adediran, male, aged 25 and Ayomide Taiwo, male, aged 23.
He added that further investigation revealed that one of the arrested suspects, Adediran, is a commercial motorcycle (okada) rider, who conveyed some of the suspected cult members to the location.
The Oyo Police spokesperson said his motorcycle was also taken to the police station for investigative purposes.
Ayalande said arrested suspects confessed to being members of the Aiye Confraternity and that their gathering was to celebrate the birthday of one of their members.
He added that the two the other suspects voluntarily stated their respective roles within the group, thereby providing useful information to investigators.
The Oyo Police spokesperson further revealed that search of the area led to the recovery of one motorcycle, one axe, and one black cap, believed to be connected to the activities of the group.
In line with the Command’s resolve to ensure thorough and professional handling of cult-related cases, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, commended the operatives of Atiba Division for their prompt response, professionalism, and operational effectiveness.
The CP has consequently directed that the case be transferred to the State Anti-Cultism Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The suspects are currently cooperating with investigators and providing credible information that is assisting ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang. Upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspects will be charged to court accordingly.
This development further underscores the Command’s firm resolve not to allow Oyo State become a breeding ground for cultism, cult-related activities, or violent crime. Accordingly, the Command will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations, targeted patrols, and strategic enforcement actions across the state to sustain the current security gains.
Meanwhile, parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to engage their wards constructively and prevail on them to shun cultism, criminal gangs, and unlawful associations, bearing in mind the grave legal and social consequences associated with such activities.
The Oyo State Police Command remains resolute and committed to the protection of lives and property, Ayanlade said.
