The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested 16 suspected members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity and recovered four firearms, 16 live cartridges, axes and assorted charms at The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Command spokesman, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade disclosed this in a statement.
Suspects arrested include 14 males and two females.
The male suspects include Olusoji Pelumi a.k.a Lumi, Fatoki Sunday a.k.a Cwise (Chief Carrier), Gbenga Opatunbi a.k.a Opa (Chief Aza), Olami Lekan Lateef Micheal (Finance), Olaniyi Oyedeji, Olaoluwa Sunday, Okedokun Olayemi, Sulaiman Rokeeb Oyewole, and Moshood Abdullahi.
Others are Faruk Olosogunro, Oyegbori Ibrahim, Bello Bashit Olalekan, Amusan Emmanuel, Babatunde Abeeb.
The female suspects are Mustapha Omotola Kafilat and Balogun Roqibat.
The police image-maker said the suspects were arrested in a coordinated operation following credible intelligence indicating that members of the confraternity were planning a critical meeting within the premises of the polytechnic.
“Consequent upon obtaining necessary approval from the school authorities, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, personally led a team of operatives to the identified location of the meeting, which was their alleged temple slated for gathering within the institution.
“The operation was executed with precision and professionalism,” Ayanlade said.
He added that the suspects were arrested at and around the venue in a bid to forestall potential breach of peace.
The police spokesman said preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects had been on the command’s watchlist for their alleged involvement in a series of murder cases and cult-related activities within the state.
Items recovered from the suspects include two locally made cut-to-size guns, two English pistols, 16 live cartridges, four axes and assorted charms.
The command assured members of the public that investigation is ongoing to unravel the full extent of the suspects’ activities and to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to rid the state of cultism and other violent crimes.
He further urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and useful information to the police.
