The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity during a planned initiation exercise in Ile-Oluji, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the arrests were made by operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad following intelligence-led operations.
Jimoh said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects, all male, gathered from different parts of the state and beyond to take part in initiation rites and a secret cult meeting held in a bush within the town.
He added that items recovered from the suspects included two caps bearing Aiye Confraternity insignia, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and several mobile phones believed to be useful for ongoing investigations.
Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for cultism, criminal conspiracy, and other violent crimes, warning that such activities would not be tolerated in the state.
Lawal also urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information as efforts continue to strengthen safety and security across Ondo State.