The Kwara State Police Command has arrested several suspected members of secret cult groups in Ilorin, recovering firearms, charms and other items believed to have been used in criminal activities across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, made the disclosure on Friday during a press briefing in Ilorin, where he outlined some of the recent successes recorded by the command in its efforts to combat cultism and other violent crimes.
Ojo explained that the arrests followed a detailed investigation initiated by the command after a deadly cult-related incident earlier this year in the Kulende area of the state capital.
“Following the cult-related incident that occurred in front of Imam Filling Station, Kulende Area, Ilorin, on January 6, 2026, at about 2240hrs, where one Victor Mathew Nwachukwu, 28 years, was shot dead by a group of suspected cultists, the Command immediately launched an intensive investigation through the Anti-Cultism Unit,” the commissioner said.
He stated that the investigation resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as Abdulrasheed Hammed, also known as “Baniq”; Abdulganeen Abdulafeez, popularly called “Jagaban” or “Fizco”; and Muhammed Nuhu Wahab, also known as “Honorable.”
According to the police commissioner, the suspects admitted during interrogation that they were members of rival cult groups operating within the Ilorin metropolis.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Aiye and Alora secret cult confraternities operating within the Ilorin metropolis,” Ojo said.
The CP also revealed that several weapons and items linked to cult activities were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
“Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made silver pistol with two live rounds of ammunition, one locally made shotgun, and one locally crafted pump-action single-barrel firearm,” he stated.
He further disclosed that other items recovered included two large portrait images carrying the insignia of the Neo-Black Movement secret cult, two battle-axes and assorted charms suspected to be used for criminal fortification.
“Further investigation revealed that one of the recovered firearms, a locally crafted pump-action single-barrel gun, belonged to Abdulganeen Abdulafeez,” the commissioner said.
Ojo also announced the arrest of another suspect, Sofiullahi Ibrahim Idowu, popularly known as “ID,” in connection with a separate cult-related disturbance in the Olunlade area of Ilorin.
He explained that the suspect was apprehended on December 24, 2025, following a distress call reporting that suspected cultists had invaded the Oke-Bonke community and engaged residents in a violent confrontation.
“Upon arrival, one Sofiullahi Ibrahim Idowu was sighted cocking a locally made short gun and aiming it directly at a police officer who was part of the responding patrol team,” Ojo said.
“The suspect was swiftly overpowered, arrested and disarmed, and a locally made short gun with one live cartridge was recovered as exhibits,” he added.
The commissioner noted that the suspect later confessed during interrogation that he had previously served as the number one leader of the Eiye confraternity in the Olunlade axis of Ilorin.
Ojo assured residents that the command remains committed to dismantling cult groups and preventing further violence across communities in the state.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects believed to have directly participated in the fatal shooting, as well as other members of the cult groups currently at large,” he said.
