The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended two suspected cult members and recovered a locally made pistol along with live ammunition as part of a renewed crackdown on cult-related violence and other criminal activities in the state.
Suspects Identified and Arrested
The suspects, identified as Oparemi Kabiru, popularly known as “Ikebe”, and Fasasi Taofeek, alias “Bufalo”, were taken into custody by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Oyo Base. The arrest occurred during an intelligence-led operation in the Oke-Apo area of Oyo town.
Details of the Operation
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement made available to journalists, the suspects were arrested on June 17 following credible intelligence that linked them and their associates to activities threatening public peace and security in Oyo town and neighboring communities. A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol and two live cartridges.
Preliminary Investigations
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are alleged members of the Eiye Supremo Confraternity. They have reportedly confessed to participating in several violent criminal activities within Oyo town and its environs.
Police Commitment to Combating Crime
The Command described the arrest as another major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat cultism, violent crimes, and other forms of criminality across the state. It noted that the operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and highlighted the importance of timely and actionable information from members of the public in the fight against crime.
Commissioner's Statement
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abimbola Ayodeji, reiterated the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that criminal elements would not be allowed to find safe haven anywhere in the state. He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with credible information capable of preventing crimes and aiding the arrest of offenders. According to him, security remains a collective responsibility that requires active collaboration between law enforcement agencies and members of the public.
The police commissioner also urged residents to embrace the “See Something, Say Something” principle, noting that prompt reporting of suspicious movements, individuals, and activities would enhance proactive policing and crime prevention efforts. Ayodeji assured citizens that all information supplied to the police would be treated with utmost confidentiality and professionalism. He stated that the Command remains strategically positioned and adequately equipped to respond swiftly to security threats and sustain the current peace being enjoyed across the state.
Ongoing Investigations
The police said investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the criminal network. The Command reiterated its determination to rid Oyo State of cultism, armed violence, and other criminal activities.
