The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered and disrupted a suspected cult gathering at a public secondary school in Oyo town, leading to the arrest of three young men.
The incident occurred at Bode Thomas Secondary School following intelligence reports received by the police.
Acting on the information, detectives attached to the Atiba Police Division moved to the location and discovered a group of youths suspected to be members of a secret cult converging within the school premises.
Police sources said the suspects were part of a larger group of about 30 young men, most of whom were reportedly dressed in black. On noticing the presence of security operatives, the group took to their heels and escaped into nearby bushes. Three of them were, however, apprehended at the scene.
Those arrested were identified as Jelili Taiwo Kazeem, aged 20, Toheeb Adediran, 25, and Ayomide Taiwo, 23. Adediran, who is said to be a commercial motorcycle rider, was alleged to have transported some of the suspected cult members to the school. His motorcycle was recovered and taken in for investigation.
Items found at the scene included an axe, a black cap, and a motorcycle. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Aiye Confraternity.
They also claimed that the gathering was organised to celebrate the birthday of one of their members.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, praised the officers involved in the operation for acting promptly on credible intelligence. He directed that the case be transferred to the State Anti Cultism Squad for further investigation.
Haruna restated the command’s firm stance against cultism, stressing that the police would not allow criminal groups to operate freely or turn the state into a safe space for unlawful activities.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the movements and associations of their children and wards, urging them to guide them away from activities that could ruin their future.
The police said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the group who escaped during the operation, adding that the suspects in custody will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
