Police arrest 4 suspected cultists in security crackdown, including alleged Eiye leader in Kwara

By Aliyu Adam 

The Kwara State Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspected cultists, including an alleged leader of the outlawed Eiye Confraternity, during a raid on criminal hideouts in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the state.

The command stated that the suspects were apprehended during a targeted operation carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following intelligence reports on the activities of suspected cultists and violent criminals in the community.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation was conducted on Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to curb cultism and other criminal activities across the state.

The PPRO stated: “The Kwara State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to rid the state of cult-related violence and other criminal activities following the arrest of four suspected members of a notorious cult group during a targeted operation in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the state.”

She identified one of the suspects as Idowu Akorede, a resident of Ijagbo, who was described as the alleged Capon of the Eiye Confraternity.

“Acting on credible intelligence regarding the activities of suspected cultists and violent criminals operating within the area, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit on Thursday, 11 June 2026, carried out a coordinated raid on identified criminal hideouts in Ijagbo.

“During the operation, Idowu Akorede, male, of Ijagbo, identified as the alleged Capon of the outlawed Eiye Confraternity, was arrested at a hideout in Ijagbo. Further operations led to the arrest of three others,” Adetoun added.

She further disclosed that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to a criminal gang allegedly involved in cult-related activities, robbery and other violent crimes within the area.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a criminal gang allegedly involved in cult-related activities, robbery and other violent crimes.

“The group has been linked to incidents in which residents were reportedly attacked and dispossessed of their valuables in broad daylight, thereby creating fear and insecurity within the community,” she stated.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects reportedly resisted arrest and launched an attack on the officers with broken bottles in a bid to evade capture. The operatives, however, exercised restraint, professionalism and tactical superiority in subduing the suspects and taking them into custody without injury,” the statement said.

The spokesperson noted that the suspects had been transferred to Ilorin and remained in custody while investigations continued, adding that efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network.

” Ever since the suspects have been arrested they had transferred to Ilorin and are currently in police custody while investigations continue. Efforts are also ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network,” Adetoun added.

Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, praised their courage and professionalism.

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He stated: “I commend the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty. I want to reassure residents of Kwara State of the Command’s unwavering determination to confront all forms of criminality and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.”

The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to aid security agencies in the fight against crime.