The Ogun State Police Command has on Thursday apprehended 30 suspected cult members during an initiation rite in Isara-Remo, recovering four vehicles and other exhibits.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abeokuta.
According to him, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Isara Area Command, and Isara Division carried out the operation on Tuesday.
He said the operation followed credible intelligence that suspected cultists had gathered in an uncompleted building for an unlawful meeting and initiation activities.
Babaseyi said the suspects were found drinking alcohol, chanting, and engaging in activities allegedly linked to cult initiation when the police team stormed the location.
According to him, on sighting the operatives, the gathering broke up, with some suspects taking to their heels, but 30 male suspects were arrested in a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
Babaseyi said four vehicles abandoned during the suspects’ attempted escape were recovered from the scene.
He added that a jackknife, a local drum, and bottles suspected to have contained alcoholic drinks were also recovered.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
He said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.
Babaseyi further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response.
He quoted the commissioner as reaffirming the command’s zero tolerance for cultism, violent crime, and other unlawful activities across the state.
The spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious gatherings or criminal activities to the nearest police formation.