THE Oyo State Police Command has arrested 15 suspected cultists and armed robbers in Ibadan, the state capital.
The suspects were presented today at the Command headquarters in Eleyele by the State Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi.
Addressing journalists, Sonubi raised concerns about the growing threat of cultism and related crimes in the state. “Cultism poses a significant threat to public safety,” he said, outlining the Command’s strategic efforts to tackle the issue.
During the operation, several incriminating items were recovered, including five jackets with cult-related inscriptions, three dane guns, a locally made pistol, a cut-to-size gun, a long-barrel gun, a Toyota Camry with registration number KTU 41 JH, a red cloth, a powder blue beret with inscriptions, and three cutlasses, among others.
Sonubi disclosed that cult-related activities have been reported in various areas of Ibadan, such as Apete, Abayomi (Iwo-Road axis), Ijokodo, Moniya, Monatan, Ojoo, Samonda, and Sango.
“These acts of violence are often retaliatory, driven by the cult groups’ desire for dominance over their rivals,” he explained.
To address the issue, the Command has implemented intelligence gathering, advocacy campaigns, stakeholder engagements, and regular raids to curb the violence.
Sonubi urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to discourage young people from joining cult groups, warning that the police would ensure that offenders face justice.
He assured the public of enhanced security measures, including high-visibility policing, coordinated stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led raids to maintain law and order.
The Commissioner also highlighted steps to improve the supervision of field officers, particularly junior ranks, to prevent misconduct, incivility, and extortion.
“The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the peace and safety of our beloved state,” he concluded.
