The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 11 students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, over their alleged involvement in cult related activities, following a raid on suspected hideouts linked to the Eiye Confraternity.
Police said the operation, carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, was based on credible intelligence that members of the group had assembled in the Under G, Yuako and Adenike areas of Ogbomoso, where they were allegedly planning coordinated attacks capable of disrupting peace within the university community.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the swift intervention by security operatives foiled the planned attacks before they could be executed.
According to him, the suspects include Adedapo Victor, alleged to be the leader of the group, Taiwo Rasheed, said to be the second in command, alongside Emeka Issac, Akande Segundo, Akande Julius, Stephen Opeyemi, Fortune Abel, Oluwatunmise Ayodeji, Adigun Oladimeji, Akande Moses and Karim Kalid.
Ayanlade disclosed that a search of the suspects and their hideout led to the recovery of four locally fabricated pistols, 11 live cartridges, one expended cartridge, two cult axes, one cutlass, one dagger and a red hooded cap allegedly used by the group.
He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects voluntarily admitted to being members of the Eiye Confraternity, while further findings linked them to various cult related offences, including alleged murder.
The police spokesperson said all 11 suspects were confirmed to be students of LAUTECH and are currently assisting investigators.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the professionalism and prompt response of the operatives, noting that their actions prevented what could have resulted in violent attacks within the institution.
He assured residents that the command would intensify efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the alleged criminal network and ensure everyone connected with the activities is brought to justice.
The police said the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support the fight against cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
