Kwara polytechnic student kidnapped and killed by cult group, according to authorities

The Kwara State Police Command has apprehended three individuals suspected of being members of the Eiye Confraternity in connection with the alleged abduction and murder of 29-year-old Sodiq Durodola Olaniyi, a student at Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin.

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The arrest was made possible by an intelligence-driven investigation conducted by the command's Violent Crime Response Unit over several weeks, which ultimately uncovered the circumstances surrounding Olaniyi's disappearance.

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According to Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer, a thorough investigation by the Violent Crime Response Unit led to the arrest of the three suspects for their alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of the victim.

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The suspects have been identified as 23-year-old Adeoye Babatunde, also known as 'Solar', 25-year-old Bernard Kayode, alias 'KK', and 27-year-old Owoyemi Bashiru, alias 'GDP', and were apprehended on Monday during coordinated operations at identified cult hideouts in Ilorin.

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Ejire-Adeyemi stated that the suspects were arrested on June 29, 2026, after operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit carried out tactical operations at various cult hideouts in Ilorin metropolis, acting on credible intelligence and sustained investigation.

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Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a violent cult group allegedly responsible for the abduction of Sodiq Durodola Olaniyi, who had been missing since June 4, 2026, and is an indigene of Oyo State.

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During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their individual roles in the crime and admitted that the victim was killed after being abducted, with the spokesperson disclosing that the victim was executed by members of the cult group.

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Further investigation revealed that the criminal gang comprises twelve members, with nine other suspects currently at large, and tactical efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing members and dismantle the criminal network.

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The police are also working to recover the corpse of the victim, according to the PPRO, who stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other members of the gang.

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The suspects in custody are assisting investigators with useful information regarding other violent crimes allegedly committed by the group within Ilorin metropolis.

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Ejire-Adeyemi added that the suspects are providing investigators with useful information on other violent crimes, and investigation is ongoing, with all persons found culpable to be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of the investigation.

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The latest arrest comes amid renewed concerns over cult-related violence in Kwara State, particularly in Ilorin, where rival cult groups have been linked to a series of deadly clashes in recent weeks.

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On June 15, no fewer than four persons were reportedly killed, while two others sustained injuries in a suspected cult-related shooting around the Post Office area of the state capital.