Ogun Police Foil Suspected Cult Initiation, Arrest 30 in Isara-Remo

Ogun police say they have arrested 30 suspected cultists after breaking up an alleged initiation gathering in Isara-Remo.

The state command said the suspects were picked up at an uncompleted building after operatives received intelligence about an unlawful gathering in the area.

According to reports by Daily Post, Punch and SaharaReporters, the raid was carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division.

Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the operation took place on June 16 at about 4pm. He said the group had allegedly gathered for meeting activities, drinking, chanting and suspected initiation attempts.

The officers stormed the building, dispersed the gathering and arrested the suspects. Police said some people fled the scene during the operation.

The command said four abandoned vehicles were recovered. It also listed one jack knife, one local drum, one sekere rattle and bottles suspected to have been used for alcohol consumption among the items found at the scene.

Babaseyi said the suspects were later moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta. They are expected to be charged to court after police complete their investigation.

Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni praised the officers involved and said the command would keep using intelligence-led operations against cultism and other violent crime in the state.

He also asked residents to report suspicious gatherings quickly, saying cultism and related activity would not be tolerated in Ogun.

The case is still at the investigation stage. Police did not announce charges on Thursday, and the suspects remain only accused unless a court finds otherwise.

Sources: Daily Post, Punch, SaharaReporters