The police command in Oyo State has disrupted a suspected cult gathering and arrested three suspects in Oyo town

In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed that police operatives, led by the Atiba Divisional Police Officer, mobilised to Bode Thomas Secondary School, Oyo, where suspected cult members had gathered.

“The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another operational success in its sustained fight against cultism and violent crime, with the disruption of a suspected cult gathering and the arrest of three suspected cult members in Oyo town.

“This success followed proactive, intelligence-led policing efforts of the Command, anchored on continuous surveillance, community-based intelligence gathering, and strategic analysis of emerging threats.

Mr Olayinka said police met about 30 people dressed in black at the scene before they largely fled into nearby bushes upon sighting operatives.

The police spokesman stated that three suspects, namely Jelili Taiwo Kazeem (20), Ayomide Taiwo (23), and Toheeb Adediran (25), a commercial motorcyclist who conveyed cult members to the location, were arrested.

“When quizzed, the suspects confessed to being members of the Aiye Confraternity, stating that their gathering was to celebrate the birthday of one of their members. The other two suspects, who equally confessed to cult membership, have voluntarily stated their respective roles within the group, thereby providing useful information to investigators,” Mr Olayinka said.

The police spokesman said police operatives, during a search of the area, recovered a motorcycle, an axe, and a black cap.

Mr Olayinka stated that the suspects are cooperating with investigators and providing credible information that would assist in apprehending other fleeing members of the gang.

The police spokesman noted that the state commissioner of police, Femi Haruna, directed that the case, for discreet and comprehensive investigation, be transferred to the State Anti-Cultism Squad unit.

He promised that the command would intensify intelligence-driven operations, targeted patrols, and strategic enforcement actions across the state to sustain its current security gains.

Mr Olayinka, however, urged parents and guardians to discourage their wards from engaging in cultism and belonging to unlawful associations.