Law enforcement apprehends alleged cult members, seizes guns in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against cultism, arresting several suspected members of secret cult groups in Ilorin and recovering a cache of firearms, charms, and other items used in criminal activities across the state.

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Commissioner of Police CP Adekimi Ojo disclosed this information during a press briefing on Friday in Ilorin, where he highlighted the command's recent successes in its operations against cultism and other violent crimes.

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The arrests were made following an intensive investigation launched by the command after a fatal cult-related incident occurred in the Kulende area of the state capital earlier in the year.

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According to CP Ojo, the investigation was sparked by a cult-related incident that took place on January 6, 2026, at about 2240hrs, in front of Imam Filling Station, Kulende Area, Ilorin, where 28-year-old Victor Mathew Nwachukwu was shot dead by a group of suspected cultists.

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The command's Anti-Cultism Unit led the investigation, which resulted in the arrest of three suspects: Abdulrasheed Hammed, also known as "Baniq"; Abdulganeen Abdulafeez, also known as "Jagaban" or "Fizco"; and Muhammed Nuhu Wahab, popularly called "Honorable".

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During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of rival cult groups operating within Ilorin metropolis, specifically the Aiye and Alora secret cult confraternities.

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The police recovered several weapons and items linked to cult activities from the suspects, including one locally made silver pistol with two live rounds of ammunition, one locally made shotgun, and one locally crafted pump-action single-barrel firearm.

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Other exhibits recovered include two large portrait images bearing the insignia of the Neo-Black Movement secret cult, two battle-axes, and assorted charms suspected to be used for criminal fortification.

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Further investigation revealed that one of the recovered firearms, a locally crafted pump-action single-barrel gun, belonged to Abdulganeen Abdulafeez.

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In a separate incident, the police arrested Sofiullahi Ibrahim Idowu, popularly known as "ID", in connection with a cult-related disturbance in the Olunlade area of Ilorin.

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The suspect was apprehended on December 24, 2025, after a distress call reported that suspected cultists had stormed the Oke-Bonke community and engaged residents in a violent confrontation.

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Upon arrival, the police found Sofiullahi Ibrahim Idowu cocking a locally made short gun and aiming it directly at a police officer, and he was swiftly overpowered, arrested, and disarmed.

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A locally made short gun with one live cartridge was recovered as an exhibit, and the suspect later confessed during interrogation that he was formerly the number one leader of the Eiye confraternity in the Olunlade axis of Ilorin.

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CP Ojo assured residents that the police command remains committed to dismantling cult groups and preventing further violence within communities in the state.

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Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects believed to have directly participated in the fatal shooting, as well as other members of the cult groups currently at large, according to the commissioner.