From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command, has intensified its crackdown on cult-related activities with the arrest of eight suspected cultists and the recovery of firearms and other dangerous weapons during coordinated operations across Ilorin metropolis.
The arrests followed a targeted operation carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit in collaboration with other tactical teams of the Command. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives raided a suspected cultists’ hideout in the Akuo and Fagba areas of Ilorin, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Those arrested are Ismail Sodiq, 35; Ibrahim Saheed, 26; Feyikemi Odoje, 28; Ishola Faisat, 23; Abubakar Zainab, 22; Azeez Olarenwaju, 27; Soliu Ibrahim, 22; and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir, 24.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation also led to the recovery of a cache of weapons and other incriminating items.
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Items recovered include two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, 25 expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons believed to be capable of facilitating violent crimes.
The police said the successful operation reflects the Command’s determination to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate and strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
“The arrests and recoveries underscore the Command’s commitment to denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate, while strengthening ongoing efforts to rid the state of cultism and other forms of violent criminality,” the statement said.
The Command added that investigations are ongoing to determine the level of involvement of each suspect, identify other members of the network and track down fleeing accomplices.
It noted that suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Commenting on the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, attributed the success to the intelligence-driven policing strategy introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Ojo reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing and stronger collaboration with members of the public.
He assured residents that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations to ensure the safety of lives and property across Kwara State.
