The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested 16 suspected members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity and recovered four firearms, 16 live cartridges, axes, and assorted charms at The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
The Command foiled an attempt by members of the notorious cult’s plan to stage a critical coordinates operation within the premises of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to cause mayhem and breach the peace within the establishment.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, who disclosed the information, said, “Consequent to obtaining necessary approval from the school authorities, the Commissioner of Police personally led a team of operatives to the identified location of the meeting, which was their alleged temple slated for gathering within the institution.”
According to him, the operation was executed with precision and professionalism.
He said following credible intelligence indicating, during the course of the operation, 16 suspects comprising 14 males and 2 females were arrested at and around the venue.
He said the preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects had been on the command’s watchlist for their alleged involvement in a series of murder cases and cult-related activities within the state.
The suspects included Olusoji Pelumi a.k.a. Lumi; Fatoki Sunday a.k.a. Cwise (Chief Carrier); Gbenga Opatunbi a.k.a. Opa (Chief Aza); Olamilekan Lateef Micheal (Finance); Olaniyi Oyedeji; Olaoluwa Sunday; Okedokun Olayemi; Sulaiman Rokeeb Oyewole; Moshood Abdullahi; Faruk Olosogunro; Oyegbori Ibrahim; Bello Bashit Olalekan; Amusan Emmanuel; Babatunde Abeeb.
The female suspects are Mustapha Omotola Kafilat and Balogun Roqibat.
Items recovered from the suspects included two locally made cut-to-size guns, two English pistols, 16 live cartridges, four axes, and assorted charms.
The command assured members of the public that the investigation was ongoing to unravel the full extent of the suspects’ activities and to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to rid the state of cultism and other violent crimes.
He further urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and useful information to the police.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
