Police arrest 14 in midnight anti-cult raid in Ogun, recover pistols, vehicles

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected cultists during a midnight operation across the Isara, Ipara and Ode axis of the state, recovering three locally made pistols, ammunition, nine vehicles and other incriminating items.

The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Friday, January 24, 2026, following intelligence reports that members of the Eiye Confraternity had converged at a bush location in Ipara-Remo to initiate new members and allegedly plan activities capable of breaching public peace.

It was gathered that the operation, which took place around 1:20 a.m., was carried out by a joint team of operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, with support from personnel of the Ipara and Isara police divisions.

Police sources disclosed that 13 males and one female were arrested at the scene. Those arrested include Solomon Shobamiwo, also known as “Solo Hot”, Farooq Ogunsola, Toheeb Abolade, Balogun Williams, Ayodele Abdulkareem, Adedapo Ogunsanya, Toheeb Saka, Akpan Dara, Micheal Olakemi, Habeeb Olayinka, Dapo Adeola, Adetunji Adeyemi, Henry Kingsley, and Nanso Blessing.
Items recovered from the suspects include three locally fabricated pistols, 11 live cartridges, four rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, suspected criminal charms, confraternity caps, a drum allegedly used for cult initiation, 19 mobile phones, a Samsung mini laptop, and nine vehicles of different brands. Some of the vehicles were reportedly without registration numbers, while others bore unauthorised dealer plates.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, condemned unlawful assembly, cultism and other acts capable of threatening public peace. He warned that the command would not relent in its efforts to rid Ogun State of cult-related violence and criminal activities.

CP Ogunlowo urged youths to renounce cultism and criminal associations, assuring residents that the police remain committed to the protection of lives and property across the state.

The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court upon its conclusion, while police said intelligence-led patrols and sweep operations have been intensified in the affected areas to arrest fleeing suspects and sustain peace.

Meanwhile, members of the public have been advised to report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free number 0800 000 9111, and other emergency contacts: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369 and 0708 497 2994.