Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: L.Imafidon
Ibadan, Oyo State – July 4, 2026 – The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 11 students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, over alleged involvement in cult-related activities after security operatives foiled what authorities described as a planned violent attack within the university community. Police also recovered firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons during the operation.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation carried out on Thursday, July 2, 2026, after the Command received credible information that suspected members of the outlawed Eiye Confraternity had converged at hideouts in the Under-G, Yuako and Adenike areas of Ogbomoso to finalise plans for coordinated attacks capable of causing widespread unrest among students. Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, operatives of the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed the locations and disrupted the alleged plot.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the swift intervention led to the arrest of 11 male suspects, all believed to be students of LAUTECH, before the planned attacks could be carried out.
The suspects were identified by the police as Adedapo Victor, 24, alleged leader of the group; Taiwo Rasheed, 22, alleged second-in-command; Emeka Issac, 20; Akande Segundo, 26; Akande Julius, 26; Stephen Opeyemi, 24; Fortune Abel, 22; Oluwatunmise Ayodeji, 22; Adigun Oladimeji, 32; Akande Moses, 28; and Karim Kalid, 20.
Police said a search of the suspects and their hideout resulted in the recovery of four locally fabricated cut-to-size pistols, 11 live cartridges, one expended cartridge, two cult axes, one cutlass, one dagger knife and a red hooded cult cap believed to be associated with the confraternity.
Investigators said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects admitted to membership of the Eiye Confraternity, while ongoing investigations have also linked some of them to previous cult-related crimes, including cases of murder. The police said further inquiries are continuing to determine the full extent of their alleged activities and identify other members of the network who remain at large.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Abimbola commended the professionalism and prompt response of the VCRU operatives, saying their timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into violent clashes within the university community and surrounding neighbourhoods.
He assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations against cultism, violent crime and other criminal activities across Oyo State, stressing that every lawful measure would be deployed to safeguard lives and property.
The Commissioner also disclosed that efforts were underway to apprehend other fleeing suspects believed to be connected to the alleged cult network, while the 11 suspects already in custody would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.
Police appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation remains vital in tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
Cult-related violence has remained a persistent security concern in several Nigerian tertiary institutions, with rival groups frequently engaging in deadly clashes that have resulted in loss of lives, injuries and disruption of academic activities. Security agencies have intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to dismantle cult networks operating within campuses and neighbouring communities.
The latest arrests represent one of the most significant anti-cult operations by the Oyo State Police Command this year and underscore ongoing efforts to prevent violent crimes before they occur. Authorities say investigations remain active as they seek to uncover the wider network behind the alleged conspiracy and strengthen security within LAUTECH and the Ogbomoso community.
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