The Kwara State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists and recovered firearms and other dangerous weapons in coordinated operations across Ilorin metropolis.

The arrest is coming days after a deadly cult-related shooting around the Post Office area of the state capital.

The latest crackdown followed the Sunday night attack near the Post Office axis where gunmen opened fire at a bamboo bar along the railway corridor, killing four persons and injuring two others.

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Residents had initially claimed that up to six persons died in the attack linked to a rivalry between suspected Eiye and Aiye confraternities operating in the area.

Police subsequently confirmed four deaths and announced the arrest of two suspects connected to the incident.

In a fresh operation, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, working with other tactical teams, raided a suspected cult hideout in the Akuo and Fagba areas of Ilorin.

Those arrested included Ismail Sodiq, 35; Ibrahim Saheed, 26; Azeez Olarenwaju, 27; Soliu Ibrahim, 22; and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir, 24.

Three women were also arrested during the operation.

They are Feyikemi Odoje, 28; Ishola Faisat, 23; and Abubakar Zainab, 22.

Police said the suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence linking the location to suspected cult activities.

During the raid, operatives recovered two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, 25 expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons believed to have been used in violent crimes.

The command said the recoveries underscored ongoing efforts to deny criminal elements operational bases and dismantle cult networks in the state.

Investigators are currently working to establish the level of involvement of each suspect, identify other members of the network and apprehend fleeing accomplices.

“The arrests and recoveries underscore the Command’s commitment to denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate, while strengthening ongoing efforts to rid the state of cultism and other forms of violent criminality,” the police said in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, attributed the success of the operation to intelligence-led policing strategies being implemented by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing and collaboration with members of the public.

The latest arrests come amid growing concerns over recurring cult-related violence around the Post Office area of Ilorin, where residents had reported a series of deadly incidents in recent months and called for stronger security measures. (Daily Trust)