The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a serving police corporal and eight other suspects in separate operations targeting alleged cultism and kidnapping.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a police operational report released on Thursday, stating that operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, Oyo Operational Base, raided a suspected Aiye Confraternity hideout on November 8.
He said five suspects were apprehended during the operation, including Corporal Olayinka Oluwatobi, attached to MOPOL 72, Ago-Are, and seconded to Sports Eleyele in Ibadan, the state capital.
Iniedu stated, “On 08/11/2026, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit (Oyo Operational Base) carried out a coordinated raid on an Aiye Confraternity hideout.
“Five suspects were arrested, including F/No. 538195 Cpl Olayinka Oluwatobi, who was attached to Mopol 72 Ago Are and seconded to Sports Eleyele, Ibadan.
“Other suspects include Ayandiran Samuel (the fraternity’s armourer) and Adeyinka Qudus (the cult leader).”
The police spokesman disclosed that operatives recovered an English-made Beretta pistol and three locally manufactured firearms during the raid.
He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Ibadan for further investigation.
In a separate operation, Iniedu said police operatives, working alongside the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, rescued a 30-year-old kidnap victim, Abubakar Amidu, from Oteon/Odi Owo Forest on November 8.
Four suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction.
He stated, “Abubakar Amidu, 30, who was abducted on 31/10/2026, was rescued unhurt at Oteon/Odi Owo Forest on 08/11/2026.
The rescue operation was carried out by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
“Four suspects were arrested, including Abdullahi Bello, Mohammed Kontagora, Alhaji Ali, and Usman Alhaji Ali.”
According to Iniedu, the victim’s mobile phone and the chain and padlock allegedly used to restrain him were also recovered during the operation.
He said investigations into both incidents were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to apprehend other suspects who might be connected to the crimes.