Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Akure, Nigeria — In a focused operation reflecting intensified law enforcement efforts against cult activities in southwestern Nigeria, the Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a suspected secret cult gathering in Akungba‑Akoko and arrested five people alleged to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, a group widely recognised by security agencies as one of the most violent and entrenched confraternities in the country. The arrests, made late last week, come amid rising anxieties among residents over youth involvement in cultism and renewed police campaigns to disrupt such networks.
According to an official statement issued by the police in the state capital on Sunday, officers acting on credible intelligence received on March 27 mobilised the Special Anti‑Cultism Squad (SACS) to a residential property in Akoko South‑West Local Government Area where individuals were reportedly meeting clandestinely. Upon arrival, the unit tactically cordoned off the area and successfully apprehended the suspects, who were identified during preliminary questioning as Adesuye Dare, Ayeerun Joshua, Ojo Omole, Adu Dele and Akeju Idowu — all adult males allegedly engaged in cult‑linked activities.
The police spokesperson explained that the suspects were found chanting cult‑related slogans and exhibiting behaviours consistent with cult activities, raising serious concerns about public safety and the potential for escalation into violence or organised criminal acts. The state commander, Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal, commended the swift action of the operatives and the timely information provided by alert members of the public that enabled the operation’s success.
Lawal also reiterated the command’s zero‑tolerance stance on cultism, emphasising that intelligence‑driven policing would continue across the state to deter unlawful societies and protect communities from the associated risks. The suspects are currently in police custody, and the force has indicated that investigations are ongoing with a view to identifying broader networks and potential additional members. Police said once inquiries conclude, formal charges will be filed in court.
Cultism remains a persistent security concern in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the South‑West where confraternities such as Eiye and Black Axe have a long and complex history. These groups originated several decades ago within university contexts but have since evolved into clandestine organisations linked by authorities to violence, intimidation, clashes with rival groups and other criminal enterprises.
The Eiye Confraternity, sometimes referred to as the Supreme Eiye Confraternity, is described by law enforcement as a dangerous and unlawful group, with activities that have drawn attention not only in Nigeria but also internationally. Its members have been implicated in a range of violent crimes, and the group has been connected to clashes in several states, including Lagos, Edo, Delta and Ondo. Human rights observers and security analysts have highlighted initiation practices that can involve forced acts of violence or other criminal behaviour, making their disruption a priority for police and community leaders alike.
Akungba‑Akoko, the scene of the recent raid, is the host community of Adekunle Ajasin University, a major public institution whose environment has been periodically affected by cultism‑related incidents in past years. While the latest operation centred on a residential building rather than a campus location, earlier police activities in the area included the arrest of a suspected cult leader in October 2025 after intelligence revealed a clandestine meeting within the town.
National and local law enforcement have in recent years ramped up offensive measures against cult networks, often working with vigilante groups and community informants to identify and neutralise threats. In July 2025, the Ondo State Police exposed a broader syndicate linked not only to cultism but also to other crimes such as kidnappings, ritual killings and armed robbery, underlining the interconnected nature of criminal enterprises in the region. That operation led to several arrests, including suspects believed to be involved in the abduction and murder of students, as well as the recovery of weapons and other evidence.
The broader context of cultism in the region has also been marked by periodic spikes in violence and public alarm. Historical reports from neighbouring states such as Osun have cited fatal clashes between rival confraternity factions, and other incidents — including killings of students during initiation rites — have drawn national attention and spurred calls for deeper reforms and preventive community engagement.
In response to these threats, authorities in Ondo State have encouraged residents, especially parents and guardians, to monitor the activities of youths and report suspicious gatherings or behaviour to law enforcement. Police officials maintain that sustained community collaboration is critical to curbing the influence and reach of cult groups, whose operations often depend on secrecy and silent support networks within communities.
While the recent arrests in Akungba‑Akoko represent a significant tactical success for the police, analysts say dismantling entrenched cult networks will require sustained pressure, targeted investigations, and social interventions that address the underlying factors drawing youths into these clandestine organisations. Cultism’s persistence reflects broader challenges around youth unemployment, campus insecurity and inter‑group rivalries, issues that security agencies and policymakers continue to grapple with across Nigeria.
As the investigation into the Akungba‑Akoko arrests proceeds, the police have assured the public they remain committed to transparency and accountability, promising to pursue all necessary avenues to bring any culpable individuals to justice. Residents across Ondo State have been urged to stay vigilant and cooperative, recognising that effective crime prevention increasingly hinges on active civic participation.
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