Police Arrest 30 Suspected Cultists, Foil Alleged Initiation in Ogun

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 30 suspected cultists after disrupting an alleged initiation procession at Isara-Remo, recovering four vehicles and other items believed to have been used during the illegal gathering.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division, followed intelligence reports that suspected cult members had assembled in an uncompleted building in the community.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the suspects were allegedly participating in activities linked to cult initiation, including meetings, chanting and alcohol consumption when security operatives swooped on the location.

The police said the suspects attempted to flee on sighting the operatives but were overpowered during the coordinated operation.

Items recovered at the scene included four vehicles allegedly abandoned by fleeing suspects, a jack knife, a local drum, a sekere (traditional rattle), and several bottles suspected to have been used for alcohol consumption.

The statement added that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Abeokuta, where investigations are ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.

Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, described the raid as “a clear demonstration of the Command’s sustained intelligence-led policing strategy and zero tolerance for violent crime and unlawful assemblies.”

Ojajuni reiterated that cultism and other related criminal activities would not be tolerated anywhere in Ogun State, urging those involved in such acts to renounce criminality and embrace lawful means of livelihood.

The police commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious gatherings and criminal activities to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to sustaining peace and security across the state.