The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against cultism and other threats to public peace with the arrest of 14 suspected cult members during a midnight operation across the Isara, Ipara and Ode axis of the state.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Friday, January 24, 2026, followed actionable intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity had converged at a bush location in Ipara-Remo, allegedly to initiate new members and plan activities capable of disrupting public peace.
Acting on the intelligence at about 1:20 a.m., a joint team of operatives drawn from the Anti-Cultism Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), with support from officers of the Ipara and Isara Divisions, launched a coordinated sweep of the area. The operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects—13 males and one female—while several others reportedly fled the scene.
Items recovered during the raid include three locally-made pistols, eleven live cartridges, four rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, criminal charms, confraternity caps, and a drum believed to be used for cult initiation rites. The police also recovered 19 mobile phones, a Samsung mini laptop, and nine vehicles of various brands, some without registration numbers and others bearing unauthorized dealer plates.
Those arrested were identified as Solomon Shobamiwo, also known as “Solo Hot,” Farooq Ogunsola, Toheeb Abolade, Balogun Williams, Ayodele Abdulkareem, Adedapo Ogunsanya, Toheeb Saka, Akpan Dara, Micheal Olakemi, Habeeb Olayinka, Dapo Adeola, Adetunji Adeyemi, Henry Kingsley, and Nanso Blessing (female).
Police authorities confirmed that the suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the process.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Ph.D., strongly condemned unlawful assembly, breach of peace, and all forms of cult-related activities, describing them as serious threats to public safety and social order. He urged youths across the state to renounce cultism and criminal associations, warning that the command would not relent in its resolve to rid Ogun State of such activities.
CP Ogunlowo further assured residents, parents, students and other stakeholders that the police remain fully committed to protecting lives and property. He added that intelligence-led patrols and continuous sweep operations are ongoing across the affected axis to apprehend fleeing suspects and ensure sustained peace and security.
Members of the public were also encouraged to support security efforts by reporting suspicious movements or activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line on 0800 000 9111 and other emergency numbers provided by the command.
The police say the latest operation underscores their determination to proactively tackle criminal networks and maintain law and order across Ogun State.
