Ekiti Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Ritualists, Theft Syndicate, Recover Firearm, Phones, ATM Cards

— Nigeria Police on duty

By Femi Ojo

Ekiti State Police Command has recorded four major operational breakthroughs, leading to the arrest of suspected cultists, ritualists and members of a suspected stealing syndicate, as well as the recovery of a locally made firearm, mobile phones, ATM cards and cash.

The Command, in a statement said the operations were carried out in line with the strategic policing vision and directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The Command said its Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on August 25, 2026, responded to credible intelligence that a gang of about 50 hoodlums, allegedly led by one Ojo Ijadu, had invaded Ijadu Community armed with guns, axes and cutlasses.

According to the police, the gang allegedly intended to attack people at various work sites in the community.

The RRS operatives were immediately deployed to the area, where the hoodlums reportedly engaged them in a gun duel after sighting the police team.

Three suspects — Emeka Uba, 35; Fatai Adio, 30; and Aanu Omotosho, 28 — were arrested during the encounter, while other members of the gang fled.

The police said one locally made single-barrel gun, an axe, an expended cartridge shell, suspected criminal charms and alcoholic dry gin were recovered from the suspects.

Preliminary investigation, according to the Command, revealed that the suspects allegedly received mobilisation from a man identified as “Ojo Onile/Ogbongbon,” who is currently at large.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend him and other fleeing members of the gang.

In another operation, operatives of the Iworoko Police Division, in collaboration with the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Security Outfit, arrested three students of the institution over an alleged ritual-related video call and threats.

The case was reportedly lodged on August 24 by a 20-year-old student who alleged that he received a video call in which three individuals were seen with traditional ritual objects and were allegedly making incantations.

The complainant further alleged that he later received threatening messages and a voice note containing references to a purported sacrifice.

Following the report, detectives commenced an investigation and arrested Adebayo Taiwo Gabriel, 20; Omojola Ayomide Nelson, 19; and Busari Fawas Ayomide, 20, all residents of Iworoko-Ekiti.

The police said the scene was visited and relevant exhibits recovered.

The suspects reportedly admitted their involvement but claimed that the incident was intended as a prank.

Police Bust Suspected Stealing Syndicate at EKSU

The Command also said detectives deployed to Ekiti State University, in collaboration with the institution’s security outfit, arrested two suspected members of a stealing syndicate on August 24, 2026.

The suspects — Peter Edwards, 21, of Egor Road, Benin City, and Moses Olusoji, 29, of Osun State — were reportedly arrested within the university premises while students were writing their examinations.

Five mobile phones, six ATM cards and ₦26,000 cash were recovered from them.

The recovered phones included Tecno Camon, iPhone 13, Itel, Tecno and Poco Android phones, while the ATM cards belonged to customers of UBA, Moniepoint, Sterling Bank and Access Bank.

The police said the affected students had been identified and the university authorities duly notified.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspected members of the syndicate, the Command added.

21-Year-Old FUOYE Student Arrested Over Alleged Theft of iPhones

In a separate operation on August 27, 2026, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to the Ado Central Division acted on credible information that an unidentified man was attempting to sell four suspected stolen iPhones at Fayose Market in Ado-Ekiti.

The operatives subsequently mobilised to the area and arrested Oluwatobiloba Daniel, 21, an Oye-Ekiti indigene and 400-level student of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

Four suspected stolen iPhones, alongside their receipts, were recovered from him.

During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly confessed to stealing the phones from a shop in Oye-Ekiti where he worked as a sales assistant.

He also allegedly confessed to having previously stolen three other phones from the same shop and sold them to unidentified persons.

The police said efforts were ongoing to identify and recover the other stolen phones and apprehend anyone else connected with the offence.

The owner of the shop has also been contacted to assist the investigation.

CP Commends Operatives, Urges Residents to Remain Vigilant

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, commended the police operatives for their prompt response, vigilance and professionalism.

He also acknowledged the contributions of members of the public whose timely information, he said, had continued to assist the Command in disrupting criminal activities across the state.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, violent criminality, ritual-related offences, theft and other forms of crime in Ekiti State.

He urged residents, students and members of the academic community to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police or other appropriate security agencies.

The Command said investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, in accordance with extant laws.