By Adeola Badru
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 11 suspected members of the outlawed Eiye Confraternity, all identified as students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, following a coordinated operation that thwarted an alleged planned attack within the university community.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons allegedly intended for use in violent activities.
According to the police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement, the arrests followed credible intelligence indicating that members of the cult group had converged at hideouts in the Under-G, Yuako and Adenike areas of Ogbomoso, where they were allegedly finalising plans to launch coordinated attacks capable of causing widespread unrest within the student community.
The operatives reportedly stormed the identified locations, disrupted the alleged plot before it could be executed and arrested the 11 suspects without incident.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects voluntarily admitted membership of the Eiye Confraternity during interrogation, while preliminary findings allegedly linked them to several cult-related criminal activities, including murder.
The suspects were identified 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).
Further investigation established that all 11 suspects are students of LAUTECH.
A search conducted on the suspects and their hideouts 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 cult hooded cap.
Commending the operatives for their swift response, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, said the timely intervention prevented what could have degenerated into serious violence within the university community.
“The professionalism, vigilance and prompt action displayed by our operatives prevented what could have escalated into violent attacks within the student community.“
“Their swift intervention underscores the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and maintaining public order,” the commissioner said.
He assured residents that the command would ensure that every individual connected with the criminal network is brought to justice.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, and all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. We remain resolute in our determination to rid Oyo State of cultism and other violent crimes,” Olugbenga added.
The police command also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information capable of aiding the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
