Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected members of the dreaded Aiye Confraternity during a planned initiation ceremony and secret cult meeting held in a secluded bush within Ile‑Oluji town, the headquarters of Ile‑Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state. The arrest was carried out on Sunday, May 10, 2026, by operatives of the Special Anti‑Cultism Squad from Akure, the state capital, following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects were intercepted as they prepared to induct new members into the outlawed Aiye Confraternity. Jimoh explained that the suspects, all males, had reportedly converged from different parts of Ondo State and beyond for the purpose of performing initiation rites and holding a secret cult meeting in a thickly forested area concealed from public view. “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Special Anti‑Cultism Squad, Akure, swung into action on Sunday, 10th May, 2026, leading to the successful interception and arrest of the suspects,” the statement read.
The operation was executed without any exchange of gunfire or casualties, a feat the police described as professional and incident‑free. “The operation was executed professionally and without incident, thereby preventing what could have posed a serious threat to public peace and security in the area,” Jimoh said. Items recovered from the suspects included two crested caps bearing the insignia of the Aiye Confraternity, substances suspected to be Indian hemp (cannabis), and several mobile phones believed to be relevant to ongoing investigations. The phones, police sources said, are currently undergoing forensic analysis to identify other members of the cult network and uncover the extent of their activities across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended the operatives for their swift response, professionalism, and commitment to duty. Lawal reiterated the command’s zero‑tolerance stance on cultism, criminal conspiracy, and all forms of violent crime capable of undermining the safety and security of residents. “The command maintains zero tolerance for cultism, criminal conspiracy and all forms of violent crimes capable of undermining the safety of residents in the state,” Jimoh quoted the commissioner as saying. Lawal warned all criminal elements and individuals involved in cult‑related activities to desist immediately, noting that the command remained resolute in identifying, tracking, and prosecuting those engaged in acts capable of disrupting public order.
The latest arrests are part of a broader crackdown on cultism across Ondo State, where clashes between rival confraternities have escalated in recent months, particularly in communities such as Idanre, Owo, and Akure. Police authorities have intensified surveillance, intelligence‑driven operations, and enforcement actions in vulnerable areas. In April 2026, operatives of the Special Anti‑Cultism Squad arrested four suspected cultists in Ode‑Irele, Irele Local Government Area, following actionable intelligence obtained from an earlier suspect. In a separate operation, suspected cult kingpins were arrested in connection with a violent clash that occurred on April 9, 2026, within the premises of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, where members of rival groups reportedly engaged in a confrontation that threatened public peace.
The 24 suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. The Ondo State Police Command has assured the public that the investigation is ongoing with a view to uncovering the full scope of the cult network and bringing all culpable persons to justice. “The command assures members of the public that investigation into the matter is ongoing with a view to uncovering the full scope of the network and bringing all culpable persons to justice,” Jimoh said. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with timely and credible information as the command intensifies efforts to ensure lasting peace and security throughout Ondo State.
The successful operation has been hailed by community leaders and civil society groups as a significant victory in the fight against cultism, which has plagued many communities in the state for years. The Aiye Confraternity, also known as the Black Axe, is one of the most notorious and violent cult groups in Nigeria, with a history of involvement in armed robbery, murder, and intimidation. Police authorities have vowed to sustain the momentum of the crackdown, warning that no stone will be left unturned in the pursuit of cultists and other criminal elements.
As the 24 suspects await arraignment in court, the message from the Ondo State Police Command is clear: the era of cultists operating with impunity in Ile‑Oluji and across the state is coming to an end. The bush where they gathered to swear in new members has been sealed off, and the police have stepped up patrols around the area to prevent any regrouping. For the residents of Ile‑Oluji, the night of May 10 brought the sound of sirens and the sight of handcuffs, but for the first time in a long while, it also brought the promise of safety.
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