Crackdown on Cultism: Oyo Police arrest suspected cult members, seize weapon

Crackdown on Cultism: Oyo Police arrest suspected cult members, seize weapon

The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against cultism, violent crime, and other criminal activities across the State.

In a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out on June 17, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Oyo Base, arrested two suspected members of a notorious cult group at their hideout in the Oke-Apo area of Oyo Town.

The suspects, identified as Oparemi Kabiru, popularly known as “Ikebe,” and Fasasi Taofeek, alias “Bufalo,” were apprehended following credible intelligence linking them and their associates to activities that posed serious threats to public peace and security in Oyo Town and its surrounding communities.

A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol and two live cartridges. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of the Eiye Supremo Confraternity. They further confessed to participating in several violent criminal activities within Oyo Town and neighboring areas.

This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and underscores the invaluable role of timely and credible information provided by members of the public in the fight against crime. The Command notes that the arrests were made possible through actionable intelligence, reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and ensuring that criminal elements have no refuge anywhere within Oyo State.

He emphasized that security remains a collective responsibility and called on residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the Police with timely, accurate, and credible information capable of aiding proactive crime prevention and detection.

The Commissioner further urged members of the public to embrace the principle of “See Something, Say Something,” stressing that prompt reporting of suspicious persons, movements, and activities enables swift police intervention and contributes significantly to preventing crime before it occurs. He assured residents that all information received by the Police would be handled with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.

The Oyo State Police Command remains fully prepared, strategically positioned, and operationally equipped to respond effectively to emerging security threats across the State. Residents are therefore encouraged to continue partnering with the Police in promoting safer communities and sustaining the peace and security currently enjoyed in Oyo State.

The Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the State of cultism, armed violence, and all forms of criminality.