The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 30 suspected cultists following a coordinated raid on an alleged initiation gathering held inside an uncompleted building in Isara-Remo, in what authorities described as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence in the state.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, June 16, 2026, was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, who disclosed that the raid was executed by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and the Isara Division.
According to the command, the suspects were apprehended after credible intelligence indicated that a group of individuals had converged at the location for what was suspected to be cult initiation activities.
The police said the gathering involved “meeting activities, consumption of alcoholic substances, chanting, and initiation attempts,” adding that the assembly was immediately disrupted upon confirmation of the intelligence report.
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the Commander of the VCRU reportedly mobilised a combined tactical team that stormed the scene, dispersed the gathering, and arrested the suspects in what the command described as a “well-coordinated operation.”
The suspects were identified by the police as Muiz Olawale, Adeniji Akinwale, Ajayi Victor, Damilola Oluwasegun, Adewale Olayemi, Aminu Rahmon, Olodudu Ademola, Matthew Imoleayo, Adenle Habeb, Lekan Qudus, Olamilekan Ayanleke, Adegbasa Ezekiel, 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.
Police further revealed that four vehicles allegedly abandoned by fleeing suspects were recovered at the scene, alongside items said to include one jack knife, a local drum, a “sekere” (rattle), and bottles suspected to have contained alcoholic substances used during the gathering.
All 30 suspects have since been taken into custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abeokuta for further investigation, with authorities indicating that they will be charged to court upon conclusion of inquiries.
The Ogun State Police Command also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals who reportedly escaped during the operation.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives involved for their swift response and professionalism, describing the raid as a reflection of the Command’s intelligence-driven policing strategy and firm stance against violent crime.
Ojajuni reiterated that cultism and related criminal activities would not be tolerated in any part of Ogun State, urging individuals involved in such groups to desist and embrace lawful conduct.
He further called on residents to support security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against crime.
The police also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious gatherings or activities to the nearest security formation.