The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the development in a statement, describing the operation as part of the Command’s sustained offensive against cultism and other violent crimes across Oyo State.
According to Olayinka, the operation was carried out following credible intelligence indicating that suspected members of the notorious Eiye Confraternity had converged at hideouts located in the Under-G, Yuako and Adenike areas of Ogbomoso to perfect plans for coordinated attacks within the university community.
He said operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were immediately deployed to the identified locations, where they successfully disrupted the planned attacks before they could be carried out.
“Acting on credible intelligence received by the Command, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were deployed after it was established that members of the dreaded Eiye Confraternity had converged at their hideout within the Under-G, Yuako, and Adenike areas, where they were allegedly perfecting plans to launch coordinated attacks within the student community capable of causing widespread unrest.
“On arrival at the identified locations, the operatives swiftly intervened and successfully foiled the planned attacks before they could be executed, leading to the arrest of eleven male suspects,” Olayinka said.
The police spokesman said the suspects voluntarily confessed during preliminary interrogation to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.
“Following their arrest, the suspects were taken into custody where they voluntarily confessed to being members of the dreaded Eiye Confraternity, while preliminary investigation further revealed their alleged involvement in various cult-related criminal activities, including murder,” he stated.
He added that investigations established that all 11 suspects are students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The suspects were identified as Adedapo Victor, 24, alleged leader of the group; Taiwo Rasheed, 22, alleged second-in-command; Emeka Issac, 20; Akande Segundo, 26; Akande Julius, 26; Stephen Opeyemi, 24; Fortune Abel, 22; Oluwatunmise Ayodeji, 22; Adigun Oladimeji, 32; Akande Moses, 28; and Karim Kalid, 20.
According to Olayinka, a comprehensive search of the suspects and their hideouts led to the recovery of several weapons and other incriminating items believed to have been intended for use during the planned attacks.
The recovered exhibits include four locally fabricated cut-to-size pistols, 11 live cartridges, one expended cartridge, two cult axes, one cutlass, one dagger knife and one red cult hooded cap.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, commended the professionalism, vigilance and swift response of the VCRU operatives, noting that their timely intervention prevented what could have degenerated into violent attacks within the university community.
The commissioner assured residents that the Command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks operating within the state and bringing all those connected to the syndicate to justice.
He disclosed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group, while confirming that the arrested suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Olugbenga also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information capable of aiding the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
“The Oyo State Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to ridding the State of cultism and other violent crimes and ensuring sustained public safety and order,” the Commissioner said.
