ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (BN24) — The Ogun State Police Command said it arrested two serving soldiers and 20 other individuals suspected of cult-related activity during a coordinated midnight operation at a hotel in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
The arrests occurred late Friday night during a raid on Hilton Hotel in the Osiele area of the state capital. According to a statement released Saturday by Command spokesperson CSP Omolola Odutola, the Anti-Cultism Unit led the joint operation alongside tactical units from the Odeda and Aregbe divisions, as well as the State Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The operation was based on actionable intelligence and executed around 8:20 p.m. on July 25.
Police identified the suspects as alleged members of the Aiye confraternity, one of Nigeria’s most notorious cult groups. Among those detained were two uniformed military personnel, 19 male suspects, and three women. Officers also recovered weapons during the raid, including a locally made cut-to-size firearm, a UTC axe, and several blue berets commonly associated with the cult group.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran for further questioning. Police confirmed that no injuries were recorded during the arrest operation.
Odutola emphasized that the police command remains committed to dismantling cultist networks and tackling violent crimes in Ogun State. She called on residents to continue sharing credible intelligence to support law enforcement efforts.
The arrest comes amid growing concerns over the rising influence of cult groups in southwestern Nigeria, particularly in urban centres like Abeokuta, where clashes and recruitment activities have escalated in recent months.
Credit:Punching.com
