The Oyo State Police Command has identified several areas across Ibadan as hotspots for cultism, following a recent surge in cult-related violence in the region.
Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, made this announcement during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where he paraded 15 suspected cultists and armed robbers arrested in connection with these criminal activities.
Sonubi disclosed that some of the identified cultism hotspots include Apete, Abayomi (Iwo-Road axis), Ijokodo, Moniya, Monatan, Ojoo, Samonda, and Sango.
He noted that the majority of the reported cult-related incidents in these areas stemmed from retaliatory violence between rival cult groups, which are engaged in a struggle for dominance.
“Cultism poses a significant threat to public safety,” Sonubi stated, underscoring the Oyo State Police Command’s concern over the rising menace of cultism and its associated crimes.
He further explained that the quest for control by these groups has exacerbated the situation, making the fight against cultism a priority for the police.
During the parade, Sonubi revealed that a number of incriminating items had been seized from the suspects, including five jackets with cultist inscriptions, three Dane guns, one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size gun, one long-barrel gun, a Toyota Camry with registration number KTU 41 JH, as well as a red cloth, a powder-blue beret with cult inscriptions, and three cutlasses. These items were presented as evidence of the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities tied to cultism and armed robbery.
The Commissioner of Police explained that in a bid to combat the growing threat of cultism, the Oyo State Police Command has adopted several strategic measures.
These include intensified intelligence gathering, public advocacy campaigns, regular raids, and meetings with key stakeholders aimed at curbing the spread of violence associated with cult groups.
Sonubi also appealed to parents, guardians, and community leaders to take proactive steps in preventing their children and wards from engaging in cultism, warning that the police would not hesitate to bring anyone involved in such criminal activities to justice.
“Let me assure the good people of Oyo State that the Police Command is committed to maintaining law and order through high-level visibility policing, coordinated stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led raids,” Sonubi said.
He emphasized that these efforts would continue until cultism and its related activities are eradicated from the state.
The police chief urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, reassuring them that the Command remains steadfast in its mission to ensure the safety and security of all citizens in Oyo State.
