The Oyo State Police Command has disrupted a suspected secret cult gathering at a public secondary school in Oyo town, arresting three suspects during an intelligence-led operation.
The suspects — Jelili Taiwo Kazeem (20), Toheeb Adediran (25) and Ayomide Taiwo (23) — were apprehended by detectives from the Atiba Division at Bode Thomas Secondary School, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed in a statement on Monday.
According to the police, operatives had received credible intelligence that about 30 young men dressed in black were converging at the school premises for a suspected initiation or meeting.
On sighting the police team, the group reportedly fled into nearby bushes, but three suspects were arrested.
One of those arrested, Adediran, said to be a commercial motorcycle rider, allegedly conveyed other members to the venue. His motorcycle was impounded for investigation.
The police added that the suspects confessed to belonging to the Aiye Confraternity, claiming the gathering was to mark the birthday of one of their members. Items recovered at the scene included an axe, a black cap and a motorcycle.
Commending the operatives for their swift response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, ordered the transfer of the case to the State Anti-Cultism Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
Haruna reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on cultism, warning that Oyo State would not be allowed to become a haven for criminal gangs.
He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely and discourage them from unlawful associations.
The police said the suspects are cooperating with investigators and will be charged to court after the conclusion of ongoing efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the group.
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