Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested eight suspected cultists and recovered firearms and dangerous weapons during coordinated operations across the Ilorin metropolis.

DAILY POST reports that the arrest is coming barely a week after four people were killed, two gravely injured and two arrested in a fierce shooting incident by suspected cultists around the Post Office area of Ilorin metropolis.

A statement by the spokesperson of the command, Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Friday, said “Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams of the command, acted on credible intelligence and conducted a targeted raid at a suspected cultist’s hideout located in the Akuo and Fagba Area, of Ilorin metropolis.

“The operation led to the arrest of eight suspected cultists, and identified as Ismail Sodiq ‘M’ 35yrs, ⁠Ibrahim Saheed ‘M’ 26yrs, Feyikemi Odoje ‘F’ 28yrs, Ishola Faisat F’ 23yrs, Abubakar Zainab ‘F’ 22yrs, Azeez Olarenwaju ‘M’ 27yrs, Soliu Ibrahim ‘M’ 22yrs, and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir ‘M’ 24yrs.”

Adeyemi, revealed that during the operations, a cache of dangerous weapons and other incriminating items were recovered. 

The exhibits recovered include two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, 25 expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons capable of being used to facilitate violent crimes and threaten public safety.

She said an investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of each suspect’s involvement, identify other members of the criminal network, and apprehend fleeing accomplices, while those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, attributed the operational success to the intelligence-led policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing and public collaboration.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has commenced enforcement of the ban on vehicles without registration number plates, as well as those using concealed, obscured, altered, defaced, or otherwise unreadable number plates, within Asaba and its environs.

The police say the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen public safety, enhance crime prevention, and improve vehicle identification for security.

Following the operation, 26 vehicles found to be operating in violation of extant vehicle registration regulations have been impounded. 

The offending motorists were subsequently arraigned before a Mobile Court sitting in Asaba for the relevant offences.

Speaking during the exercise, Oyeniyi urged vehicle owners to comply with vehicle registration requirements and ensure the proper display of approved number plates.

He stressed that the enforcement is aimed at enhancing security and promoting compliance with the law.

Oyeniyi also warned that the Command would sustain the operation across Delta State and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to ensure strict compliance with the directive across all Area Commands, Divisions, and tactical formations.  

 An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos, on Friday remanded two men over alleged cultism and attempted murder.

The defendants, Olayemi Abdulquadri, 22, and Kelechi Olisemeke, 28, face a five-count charge of alleged criminal offences.

They were charged with conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society, attempted murder, possession of live cartridges and criminal charms.

The prosecutor, Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the offences occurred on May 26.

She alleged that the defendants and others still at large committed the offences at the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus.

According to the prosecutor, the men belonged to the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as Black Axe or Aye.

The group is listed as a proscribed organisation under Lagos State’s Unlawful Societies and Cultism Prohibition Law.

Ikhayere alleged that the defendants invaded the university premises with others while armed with dangerous weapons.

She said the group attempted to kill an unidentified person during the alleged attack.

The defendants were also accused of unlawfully possessing two live cartridges in a public place.

They were further alleged to have been in possession of criminal charms during the incident.

The charges were said to contravene relevant sections of Lagos State criminal and anti-cultism laws.

The defendants were arraigned before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi on Friday.

Following their plea, the magistrate ordered their remand in a correctional facility.

The court adjourned the matter until July 1 for mention and further proceedings.