The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 11 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity and recovered firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons after foiling an alleged planned attack within the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The Command disclosed on Friday that the operation was carried out by operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence that members of the cult group had assembled at hideouts in the Under-G, Yuako and Adenike areas of Ogbomoso to coordinate attacks capable of causing widespread unrest within the student community.
According to the Police, the operatives swiftly moved to the identified locations, disrupted the planned attacks before they could be executed and arrested 11 male suspects.
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.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that all the suspects are students of LAUTECH and allegedly confessed to being members of the Eiye Confraternity. The investigation also linked them to various cult-related criminal activities, including murder.
A search conducted on the suspects and their hideout led to the recovery of four locally fabricated cut-to-size pistols, 11 live cartridges, one expended cartridge, two cult axes, one cutlass, one dagger knife and a red cult hooded cap.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the professionalism and prompt response of the operatives, noting that their timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into violent attacks within the university community.
The Commissioner assured residents that the Command would ensure all those connected with the criminal network are brought to justice, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
He reiterated that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information to strengthen the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to ridding Oyo State of cultism and other violent crimes while maintaining public safety and order.