The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested 25 suspected cultists during an alleged initiation ceremony in Uso, Owo Local Government Area, recovering a vehicle and a motorcycle in the process.
Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh disclosed in a statement that the suspects are said to be members of the Neo Black Movement group. He explained that the arrest followed “credible intelligence from a concerned citizen” indicating that the group was preparing to initiate new members.
According to Jimoh, “Acting swiftly on the information, operatives of the command were mobilised and deployed using intelligence-led tactics to disrupt the planned initiation.”
He added: “The operation resulted in the arrest of 25 suspects, drawn from Ondo, Osun, Edo, and Lagos states, at the scene of the initiation.”
During the operation, police recovered a Toyota Highlander SUV and an unregistered Daylong motorcycle.
Jimoh further stated: “The arrested suspects are currently in police custody and have confessed to their involvement in cult-related activities. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.”
He noted that Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal praised the prompt action and professionalism of officers involved in the raid. Jimoh said the CP reaffirmed that the command “will leave no stone unturned in its sustained fight against cultism across the state” and acknowledged the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In his message to young people, the CP urged them to steer clear of cult groups, warning that “there is no gain in engaging in such acts, as they only lead to grave consequences.”
He reassured residents that the police remain proactive in maintaining “a peaceful and crime-free environment” and called on the public to continue providing “credible and actionable information” to assist security operations.
