The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended two suspected cultists and seized dangerous weapons, electronic devices, and substances believed to be hard drugs during a stop-and-search operation along the Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway.
Suspects Identified
The suspects, identified as Ajala Bukola, 28, and Caleb Adesoye, 24, were arrested by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit on June 3, 2026. This operation is part of the Command's ongoing crackdown on cultism and violent crimes across the state.
Police Statement
Police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been on the Command's watchlist due to their alleged involvement in cult-related activities within Ogbomoso and neighboring communities.
He stated that the suspects confessed during interrogation to being members of a secret cult group and were found to occupy strategic positions within the organization. “The suspects admitted to membership of a dreaded cult group. Further investigation revealed that they occupy key positions within the group’s hierarchy and may be connected to other criminal activities currently under investigation,” the statement said.
Recovered Items
A search conducted on a grey Lexus ES 350 vehicle allegedly used by the suspects led to the recovery of three axes, one cutlass, one hammer, an Apple laptop computer, an HP laptop computer, two iPhones, a Samsung mobile phone, and substances suspected to be hard drugs.
Ongoing Investigation
The police confirmed that the suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information aimed at identifying and arresting other members of the syndicate. The Command added that efforts are ongoing to dismantle the cult network and bring all individuals linked to its activities to justice.
Public Appeal
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling cultism and other criminal activities, the police urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies. “The Oyo State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of cultism and all forms of criminality. We will sustain proactive measures to ensure the safety of lives and property and bring perpetrators of crime to justice,” the statement added.
The Command also assured law-abiding residents that it would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing and other crime-fighting strategies to maintain peace and security across the state.
