Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Rescue Kidnapping Victim, Probe Fratricide Case In Oyo
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Oyo State Police Command has intensified its operations across the state, making significant arrests and rescuing a kidnapped victim in separate incidents within the past month.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said two suspected cultists were apprehended at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, following a credible tip-off from a concerned member of the school community.
The suspects, Lawal Opeyemi, also known as “Aiki,” 31, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, alias “Bojan,” 29, both from Apete area of Ibadan, were found with a locally made double-barrel pistol, two live cartridges, and a black bag containing charms.
Investigations revealed that the duo allegedly belonged to the Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity and had been involved in previous cult clashes within the institution.
The suspects have been handed over to the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit, while police continue to investigate the purpose of the gathering and search for other fleeing members. Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, psc(+), commended the timely alert from the school authorities and praised the Sango Division operatives for their swift response.
In a separate development, the command successfully rescued a kidnapped victim, Alhaji Gede Yusuf, 30, in Igbeti area, as reported in a statement dated 4th March 2026.
The victim was reportedly abducted near Old Oyo National Park, Dauda Village, but was rescued unhurt following a coordinated bush-combing operation by the police and other security agencies.
CP Haruna lauded the collaborative efforts of the joint security team and assured the public that the Anti-Kidnapping Squad would continue to track and prosecute the culprits.
The same day, the command also disclosed the arrest of a suspect in a fratricide case in Sepeteri. Badmus Yunisa of Alegunlode Compound reported that Lateef Suleiman, 43, allegedly killed his elder brother, Mustapha Amidu, 52, by striking him with a heavy rock over a bizarre accusation that the deceased had shot him in a dream.
The victim was pronounced dead at Ileri Oluwa Hospital, Sepeteri. The suspect has been arrested and is cooperating with investigators, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
DSP Olayinka urged parents, guardians, and the general public to support the police by providing timely and credible information to help maintain peace and security in the state.
The Oyo State Police Command reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on cultism, kidnapping, and violent crimes.