IBADAN, Oyo State — The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 11 students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, over their alleged involvement in cultism, recovering firearms and dangerous weapons from the suspects.
The students were apprehended during a raid conducted by police operatives at the university campus and nearby off-campus hostels following intelligence reports about the activities of a secret cult group. A police source confirmed that the suspects are believed to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, one of the notorious cult groups operating in the state.
Items recovered during the operation included a locally made pistol, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons, along with cult regalia and incriminating documents. The police spokesperson confirmed the arrests, stating that the command had been monitoring the activities of cult groups in the area for some time before the operation.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State commended the operatives for their professionalism and urged students to steer clear of cultism and other criminal activities. The police warned that the command would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found engaging in cult-related activities, regardless of their status.
The LAUTECH management has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources indicate that the university authorities are cooperating with the police to address the issue. The university has a zero-tolerance policy for cultism and has previously suspended students found to be involved in such activities.
The arrest of the 11 students has sent shockwaves through the LAUTECH community, with many students expressing concern over the growing influence of cult groups on campus. The university administration has been urged to take more proactive measures to curb the menace and ensure the safety of students.
Cultism has been a persistent challenge in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with many universities grappling with the activities of secret cult groups that engage in violent clashes, intimidation, and criminal activities. The Oyo State Police Command has intensified its efforts to combat cultism in the state, conducting regular raids on suspected hideouts and arresting those involved.
The police have called on parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and to warn them against joining secret cult groups. They also urged students to focus on their studies and to avoid any association that could jeopardise their future.
The arrested students are currently in police custody and are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The police have assured that all those found culpable will face the full weight of the law, serving as a deterrent to others.
As the investigation continues, the LAUTECH community awaits the outcome of the case, while the police remain vigilant in their efforts to rid the state of cultism and other criminal activities. For now, the arrest of the 11 students serves as a warning that cultism will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will be held accountable.
