As part of a renewed crackdown on cult-related activities, the Ogun State Police Command has arrested Abiodun Salami and Destiny Adeola on suspicion of terrorising the Ijoko community and other areas of Sango-Ota in the state.
PUNCH Metro reports that Sango-Ota, Ijoko, and other areas within the local government area have recently become hotspots for numerous cult clashes, attacks, and killings.
A report published by PUNCH Metro in January detailed how two unidentified persons were brutally killed during a suspected cult clash in Ota town.
Speaking about the arrest on Monday, the head of the Sango/Ota Police Division, CSP Sales Gwazara, informed our correspondent that the two suspects were believed to be responsible for cult-related activities in the community.
“Arresting cult members and robbers is not easy. Sometimes, these individuals come from Lagos State. We have used surveillance and intelligence to implement strategic measures. Our officers apprehended these two suspects, who are believed to be the main culprits terrorising the Ijoko and Sango Ota communities,” Gwazara stated.
Confirming the arrest in a WhatsApp message sent to our correspondent on Monday, the state command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, revealed that two individuals were apprehended on August 8, 2024.
She mentioned that Adeola and Salami, along with other members of the Eye Confraternity, had gathered at a location in Ijoko when residents alerted the police.
After receiving the tip-off, our correspondent learnt that the Anti-Robbery Squad was immediately dispatched to the area, resulting in Salami and Adeola’s arrest while others fled the scene.
Odutola informed our correspondent that items recovered from the scene included a toy silver pistol, locally made amulets, and what is suspected to be Indian hemp.
“When they spotted the squad, they scattered in different directions. Salami and Adeola were apprehended. During questioning, Adeola admitted to being a member of the Eye Confraternity.
“He (Adeola) revealed that he was initiated into the group in 2022 at Atan-Otan. We are intensifying efforts to apprehend the other members who are still at large.”
She told our correspondent that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, had directed divisional heads across the state to intensify various operations to bring the stem of crimes, especially cult activities, to a halt.
She said, “This is part of the command’s broader efforts to sanitize the state. The Commissioner of Police has issued a directive to all areas prone to violence to crack down on cult groups and related activities. They are tasked with ensuring that these areas are thoroughly sanitized. What you’re seeing now is the result of these efforts.
“This division, along with the Igbeba division, has intensified efforts to apprehend these suspects, and the results are evident. Recently, a notorious cult member named Kunle Polly was arrested. We will continue to increase security across the state, and more arrests will follow.”
A suspected member of the group, identified only as Seun, was killed and beheaded during another cult clash in the Ijoko area in May 2024.
The deceased, who worked as a fuel attendant at a filling station in Alaroro, Ijoko, was killed in what was believed to be a reprisal.
