The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended two suspected cult members and seized a locally-made pistol along with live ammunition as part of a renewed effort to curb cult-related violence and other criminal activities in the state.
Arrest Details
The suspects, identified as Oparemi Kabiru, commonly 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 operation was conducted based on intelligence-led surveillance in the Oke-Apo area of Oyo Town.
According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, the arrests occurred on June 17 following credible intelligence linking the suspects and their associates to activities that threaten public peace and security in Oyo Town and surrounding communities.
Recovered Items
A search of the suspects led to the recovery of one locally-fabricated pistol and two live cartridges. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are alleged members of the Eiye Supremo Confraternity and have confessed to involvement in several violent criminal acts within Oyo Town and its environs.
Police Statement
The Command described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against cultism, violent crimes, and other forms of criminality across the state. The operation underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and highlights the importance of timely, actionable information from the public in crime fighting.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abimbola Ayodeji, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that criminal elements will not be allowed to find safe haven anywhere in the state. He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible information to prevent crimes and aid in arresting offenders.
According to him, security is a collective responsibility that requires active collaboration between law enforcement and the public. The police commissioner also encouraged 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.
Ayodeji assured citizens that all information provided to the police would be handled 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 across the state.
Investigations are ongoing, and 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.
