The Oyo State Police Command has taken action against rising crime in Ibadan by arresting 15 suspected cultists and armed robbers. The arrests were announced on Monday at the Command headquarters in Eleyele by the State Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi.
While addressing journalists, Sonubi expressed concern about the growing problem of cultism in the state. He described it as a major threat to public safety and outlined the Command’s plans to curb this menaces.
The police seized several items during the operation, including:
- Five jackets with cult symbols
- Three dane guns
- One locally-made pistol
- One cut-to-size gun
- One long-barrel gun
- A Toyota Camry with registration number KTU 41 JH
- A red cloth, a powder blue beret with inscriptions, and three cutlasses.
Sonubi identified cultism hotspots in Ibadan, such as Apete, Abayomi (Iwo-Road axis), Ijokodo, Moniya, Monatan, Ojoo, Samonda, and Sango. He explained that the violence is often driven by rival cult groups competing for dominance.
To tackle the problem, the police have increased intelligence gathering, launched public campaigns, engaged stakeholders, and conducted regular raids.
The Commissioner urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to educate their children and wards about the dangers of cultism. He assured residents that the police are committed to maintaining peace through visible patrols, stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-driven activities.
He also highlighted steps to improve the supervision of junior officers to prevent misconduct and corruption. “We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and tranquility of Oyo State,” Sonubi concluded.
