The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 25 suspected cultists during a foiled initiation ceremony in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued in Akure on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said the suspects were apprehended after the police received credible intelligence from a concerned resident about plans by a cult group to initiate new members.
Jimoh explained that operatives acted swiftly on the information and were deployed to the location using intelligence driven tactics to disrupt the planned activity.
According to him, the suspects are believed to be members of the Neo Black Movement and were arrested at the scene on Thursday, January 8.
He said those arrested were drawn from Ondo, Osun, Edo, and Lagos states. During the operation, the police also recovered one Toyota Highlander SUV and an unregistered Daylong motorcycle allegedly used by the suspects.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and have confessed to their involvement in cult related activities. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Jimoh stated.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, commended the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism, and dedication.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain the fight against cultism and other criminal activities across the state.
Jimoh said the CP also appreciated the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership and continued support, noting that it has strengthened the command’s anti cultism operations.
He quoted the commissioner as advising youths to shun cultism, warning that involvement in such activities only leads to severe consequences.
Residents were also urged to continue providing credible and timely information to aid the police in maintaining peace and security across Ondo State.
