The Ogun state police have confirmed the arrest of two individuals who are suspected to be a member of a cult group in the state.
The arrest was announced by the Police Public Relations Officer Omolola Odutola on Monday. The suspects were arrested for their activities in the Ijoko area of Sango-Ota, within the Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The PPRO confirmed the suspects’ identities as Abiodun Salami and Destiny Adeola and noted that they were arrested on August 8, 2024.
Cult clashes have been a new normal in the Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state in the past months, with Sango-Ota, Ijoko, being the most affected area. The clashes have led to the death of several individuals in the community who are believed to be their members.
In an online report published in January, some individuals who were not identified were killed by a cut clash in the Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The PPRO noted that some of the Items recovered from the suspects include a toy silver pistol, locally made amulets, and suspected Indian hemp.
According to her, the suspects who gathered at a location took to their hills when they discovered the police arrival, but the police successfully arrested the two suspects. She explained that when the suspects were asked questions, Adeola agreed to hold allegiance to the Eye Confraternity.
In his confession, Adeola explained that he was initiated into the Eye Confraternity in 2022 at Atan-Otan. The PPRO confirmed that officers in the state are intensifying efforts to arrest the other suspect who had escaped during the raid.
Speaking further about the arrest, the PPRO explained that the suspects had gathered in a particular location for their meeting when a community member alerted the police. She further noted that the police Anti-Robbery Squad was dispatched to the scene, which resulted in the arrest of the two suspects, Salami and Adeola, while others fled immediately.
The cult clashes in the area have been reoccurring. In May 2024, a fuel pump attendant was killed in the community. The killing was believed to be a reprisal attack for an earlier crime committed.
