Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested seven suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity, wanted for various cult-related crimes in the Ijebu-Ode area of the state.
The spokesperson of the command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest on Monday, December 16, said that the suspects were arrested during a sting operation on Thursday.
According to the PPRO, the suspected cultists, along with other urchins, were notorious for involvement in illegal drug activities, robbery, and housebreaking.
The arrested suspects are identified as Balogun Ibrahim, Towolawi Omotayo, Oshodi Oluwaseun, Nkechi John, Mustapha Aliu, Opeyemi Rasheed, and Mustapha Sikiru.
“The SWAT team received intelligence that members of the Aiye Confraternity, also known as the Black Axe cult group, who had been on their watchlist for a long time, were spotted along Ogbo on Ijebu-Ode Road,” she said.
“Acting on this information, the SWAT team was dispatched for action, leading to the arrest of seven suspects. A search revealed exhibits including a cut-to-size, locally made, single-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, and a handheld axe.”
She added that the arrested members of the confraternity are being investigated to identify and apprehend other suspects in the area.