Kwara Police Arrest Eight Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in Ilorin Raid

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists and recovered a cache of firearms and dangerous weapons during a coordinated operation aimed at curbing cult-related activities and violent crimes in Ilorin, the state capital.

The arrests were made during a targeted raid conducted by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit in collaboration with other tactical teams. According to the police, the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected cult members operating within the Akuo and Fagba areas of Ilorin.

Those arrested were identified as Ismail Sodiq, 35; Ibrahim Saheed, 26; Feyikemi Odoje, 28; Ishola Faisat, 23; Abubakar Zainab, 22; Azeez Olarenwaju, 27; Soliu Ibrahim, 22; and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir, 24.

Police said the operation led to the recovery of several weapons and other incriminating items believed to be linked to criminal activities. Exhibits recovered include two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, and 25 expended cartridges. Other dangerous weapons capable of facilitating violent crimes were also seized during the raid.

The Command described the arrests and recoveries as a significant step in its ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and rid the state of cultism and other forms of violent criminality.

According to the police, investigations are ongoing to determine the level of involvement of each suspect, identify other members of the network, and apprehend accomplices who remain at large. The Command assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, attributed the success of the operation to the intelligence-led policing strategy introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

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

The police urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security across the state.