No fewer than 30 suspected cultists arrested during a police raid on an alleged initiation procession in Isara-Remo, Ogun State, will be charged in court after investigations, the Ogun State Police Command has said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Babaseyi, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division following intelligence reports of an unlawful gathering.

He noted that the suspects converged at an uncompleted building in Isara-Remo for activities linked to cult initiation, including meetings, chanting and the consumption of alcoholic drinks.

Babaseyi added that the operation was carried out at about 4 pm on June 16 after police received credible intelligence about the gathering.

“Acting on the intelligence, the Commander of the VCRU swiftly mobilised a combined team of operatives from the unit, Isara Area Command, and Isara Division.

“The operatives stormed the location, dispersed the gathering, and arrested the suspects in a well-coordinated tactical operation,” he stated.

The police spokesperson identified the suspects as Muiz Olawale, Adeniji Akinwale, Ajayi Victor, Damilola Oluwasegun, Adewale Olayemi, Aminu Rahmon, Olodudu Ademola, Matthew Imoleayo, Adenle Habeb, Lekan Qudus, Olamilekan Ayanleke, and Adegbasa Ezekiel.

Others are Ibukun Adeniyi, Abiodun Babatunde, Oshofolahan Michael, Salau Adedeji, Benjamin Kehinde, Magnus Elijah, Oluwadamilare Samson, Oyebowale Ojutona, Abiodun Makanjuola, Idowu Toheeb, Olamide Sunday, Malik Also, Abdullahi Damilola, Israel Ayomikun, Oyeledun Ezekiel, Adelabu Imoleayo, Ajayi Oluwasegun and Olaawun Faith.

The PPRO stated that four vehicles allegedly abandoned by fleeing suspects were recovered during the operation.

He noted that other items recovered at the scene included a jackknife, a local drum, and bottles suspected to have been used for alcohol consumption.

“Four vehicles allegedly abandoned during the attempted escape were recovered at the scene, alongside exhibits including one jackknife, one local drum, one sekere and bottles suspected to have been used for alcohol consumption during the illegal assembly,” Babaseyi stated.

He added that the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, where they were undergoing investigation and would be charged in court upon its conclusion.

The police spokesperson noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the raid.

Commenting on the operation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the command’s resolve to combat cult-related activities across the state.

“The operation is a clear demonstration of the Command’s sustained intelligence-led policing strategy and zero tolerance for violent crime and unlawful assemblies.

“Cultism and related criminal activities will not be condoned in any part of the state,” the statement added.

The development comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies to curb cultism and violent crimes in Ogun communities.

PUNCH Metro reports that the command has, in recent months, carried out several raids across the state, leading to the arrest of suspected cultists, kidnappers and armed robbery suspects as part of ongoing measures to strengthen public safety and security.

In April, the command arrested three suspects in separate operations across the Mowe and Sagamu areas of the state, recovering locally made firearms, cartridges and charms believed to be linked to cult-related and criminal activities.

Babaseyi had stated that the arrests were made between April 14 and 18, 2026, during intelligence-led operations and stop-and-search duties conducted by divisional units and the Quick Response Squad. (Punch)

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