Police Arrest 24 Suspected Cultists in Ondo State

On May 10, 2026, the Ondo State Police Command arrested 24 suspected members of a cult group during an initiation ceremony in Il Oluji, located in the Okeigbo Local Government Area. The operation was executed by the Special Anti-Cultism Squad following credible intelligence.

The suspects, all male, were allegedly converging from different parts of the state for a secret cult meeting held in a bush area within Il Oluji town. The police operation was carried out without incident, successfully preventing a potential threat to public peace and security.

Items recovered from the suspects included two Aiy confraternity crest caps, substances believed to be Indian hemp, and several mobile phones, which are believed to be relevant to ongoing investigations. State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, warned individuals involved in cult-related activities to desist immediately, reiterating the command's commitment to identifying, tracking, and prosecuting those capable of disrupting public order, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards cultism and violent crime.