
(The suspects. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled a suspected cult initiation gathering in Isara-Remo, arresting 30 suspects during a raid on an uncompleted building where the activities were allegedly taking place.
According to the command's spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation was carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division, acting on credible intelligence.
The intelligence indicated that a group of suspected hoodlums had converged at the location for an unlawful gathering that allegedly involved cult-related activities, the consumption of alcoholic substances, chanting, and initiation attempts.
Acting swiftly on this information, the VCRU Commander mobilized a combined tactical team that stormed the building, dispersed the gathering, and apprehended the suspects in a coordinated operation.
During the raid, four vehicles allegedly abandoned by suspects attempting to flee were recovered at the scene, along with several exhibits including a jackknife, a local drum, a "sekere" (rattle), and bottles believed to have been used for alcohol consumption during the gathering.
The 30 suspects arrested were identified as Muiz Olawale, Adeniji Akinwale, Ajayi Victor, Damilola Oluwasegun, Adewale Olayemi, Aminu Rahmon, Olodudu Ademola, Matthew Imoleayo, Adenle Habeb, Lekan Qudus, Olamilekan Ayanleke, Adegbasa Ezekiel, Ibukun Adeniyi, Abiodun Babatunde, Oshofolahan Michael, Salau Adedeji, Benjamin Kehinde, Magnus Elijah, Oluwadamilare Samson, Oyebowale Ojutona, Abiodun Makanjuola, Idowu Toheeb, Olamide Sunday, Malik Also, Abdullahi Damilola, Israel Ayomikun, Oyeledun Ezekiel, Adelabu Imoleayo, Ajayi Oluwasegun, and Olaawun Faith.
Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the operatives for their swift and professional handling of the operation, reaffirming the command's commitment to intelligence-led policing.
He warned that cultism and other forms of criminal activity would not be tolerated anywhere in the state, and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious gatherings or criminal activities to security agencies.