Police Arrest Eight Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms In Kwara
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists and recovered firearms and other dangerous weapons during coordinated operations across Ilorin metropolis.
The command said the operation was carried out by operatives of its Anti-Cultism Unit in collaboration with other tactical teams following credible intelligence on suspected cult activities.
According to a statement on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operatives raided a suspected cultists’ hideout in the Akuo and Fagba areas of Ilorin, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
The suspects were identified as Ismail Sodiq, 35; Ibrahim Saheed, 26; Feyikemi Odoje, 28; Ishola Faisat, 23; Abubakar Zainab, 22; Azeez Olarenwaju, 27; Soliu Ibrahim, 22; and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir, 24.
The police said a cache of weapons and other incriminating items was recovered during the operation.
Exhibits recovered included two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, 25 expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons.
The command said the recoveries underscored its commitment to tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
“The arrests and recoveries underscore the Command’s commitment to denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate, while strengthening ongoing efforts to rid the state of cultism and other forms of violent criminality,” the statement read.
It added that investigations were ongoing to determine the level of involvement of each suspect, identify other members of the alleged criminal network and arrest fleeing accomplices.
“Those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the police said.
The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Adekimi Ojo, attributed the success of the operation to the intelligence-led policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing and collaboration with members of the public
