The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist believed to be behind a string of violent attacks in Ondo town, including the recent assault on civilians at a public viewing centre.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Olayinka Olushola, confirmed that the suspect was apprehended at his hideout following a coordinated tactical operation, which was based on sustained intelligence efforts.
“The suspect, whose identity is being temporarily withheld pending the conclusion of investigations, was arrested after operatives of the Command launched a well-planned raid on his location,” Olushola said.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect played a significant role in an earlier attack that led to the killing of several members of a rival cult group earlier this year. He has also been linked to the July 13 attack at Template Bar and Club, where suspected cultists opened fire indiscriminately on football enthusiasts, leaving several individuals injured.
“The reckless act endangered the lives of peace-loving residents and posed a direct threat to public peace and safety—the very values the Command remains steadfast in preserving,” the statement added. The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who remain at large.
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During the course of the investigation, several items were recovered from the suspect, including an English-made Beretta pistol with five live 3mm rounds, a locally made pistol with two cartridges, three battle axes, three cutlasses, two daggers, cult-related insignias such as local lamps, berets, jackets, and face caps, as well as various criminal charms and suspected illicit drugs, including Indian hemp.
In a broader crackdown on cultism, the Command disclosed that 30 male suspects were arrested between June and July 2025, all of whom have been charged to court.
Notably, the Command reported no incidents of cult-related violence during the annual 7/7 cult anniversary—a day historically marked by clashes among rival groups. This success was attributed to proactive intelligence gathering, strategic personnel deployment, and focused operations in identified hotspots across the town.
The Ondo State Police Command reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward cultism and violent crime, assuring residents of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.