The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity for their alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of a 29-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, identified as Sodiq Durodola Olaniyi. The suspects were taken into custody following weeks of intelligence-driven investigation by the command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
Arrests Made After Coordinated Operations
The command's spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, that the suspects were apprehended on Monday, June 29, 2026, during coordinated tactical operations conducted at identified cult hideouts across Ilorin metropolis. The arrested individuals are Adeoye Babatunde Alimi (23), popularly known as 'Solar'; Bernard Kayode (25), alias 'KK'; and Owoyemi Bashiru (27), alias 'GDP'. According to the police, the suspects are members of a violent cult group believed to be responsible for the abduction of Olaniyi, an indigene of Oyo State who had been missing since June 4, 2026.
Suspects Confess to Roles in Crime
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their individual roles in the crime and admitted that the victim was executed by members of the cult group after his abduction. SP Ejire-Adeyemi stated, 'A thorough and painstaking investigation conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Kwara State Police Command, has unravelled the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, culminating in the arrest of three suspected members of the notorious Eiye Confraternity for their alleged involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of the victim.'
Nine Other Suspects Still at Large
Investigation further revealed that the criminal gang comprises twelve members, with nine other suspects currently at large. The police have intensified tactical efforts to apprehend the fleeing members, dismantle the criminal network, and recover the victim's corpse. The statement added, 'The suspects presently in custody are also assisting investigators with useful information regarding other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the group within Ilorin metropolis. Investigation is ongoing, and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations.'
The arrest brings some relief to the family and friends of the deceased, who had been searching for answers since his disappearance. The Kwara State Police Command has urged the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects.
