The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cultists at The Polytechnic Ibadan and recovered dangerous weapons during the operation.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan.
According to him, the suspects, believed to be members of the Aiye Confraternity, were apprehended within the institution’s premises while allegedly planning a critical meeting that could have led to a breakdown of law and order.
He noted that the swift intervention of the police prevented what could have escalated into a serious security breach within the school environment.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, personally led a team of operatives to the identified location of their meeting after getting approval from the school authorities.
According to him, the operation was executed with precision and professionalism.
“During the course of the operation, a total of 16 suspects, comprising 14 males and two females, were arrested at and around the venue.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that some of the suspects had been on the Command’s watchlist for their alleged involvement in a series of murder cases and cult-related activities within the State.”
The PPRO listed the items recovered from the suspects to include two locally made cut-to-size guns, two English pistols,16 live cartridges, four axes and assorted charms.
He said that the investigation was ongoing to unravel the full extent of the suspects’ activities and apprehend other fleeing accomplices.
Olayinka assured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to rid the state of cultism and other violent crimes.
