The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected criminals, including kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and thieves.

The suspected criminals paraded by the state’s Police Commissioner, Victor Olaiya, at the Command’s headquarters in Ilorin, included three suspected cultists arrested in connection with the murder of two young men at the Insomnia Night Club, Tanke area in Ilorin, the state capital.

The suspects, namely; Ridwan Alabi (a.k.a Boshi), Taiye Sulieman (a.k.a Sly), and Adebayo Abibullahi (a.k.a Bibson), were apprehended at their hideout in the Tipper Garage area of Tanke, Ilorin, following a swift investigation.

The incident occurred on May 30, 2024, when Useni Usman, 22, and Sulieman Garba, 25, were attacked and killed by the suspects, who were believed to be members of the Eiye secret cult confraternity.

The Commissioner of Police said Policemen recovered two locally made guns, a battle axe, expended cartridges, live ammunition, and two unregistered vehicles at the scene of the crime.

He added that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation and revealed that three other accomplices, identified as Oluwanishola Yunus Olayinka (a.k.a Yinka Bullet), Sodia Ajibola (a.k.a JB), and Biola (a.k.a B Red), were still at large.

In another operation, CP Olaiya said policemen disrupted an attempted initiation ceremony by the Aiye cult group in the Agbo-Oba area of Ilorin on July 14, 2024.

Acting on credible intelligence, Olaiya said the Police, in collaboration with community volunteers, arrested five suspects: Bello Ibrahim (a.k.a K-Black), Abdulwahab Jamiu, Abdulrasaq Ridwan (a.k.a Depo), Sodiq Suleiman (a.k.a Amugiri), and Salman Muftau.

He said the suspects were found in possession of a Beretta pistol and charms.

The police boss said the operation underscored the importance of community policing and the role residents play in aiding law enforcement.

The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Anti-Cultism Section of the Police Command for further investigation.

“In a separate incident, on August 6th, 2024, the police apprehended four suspects—Babuga Usman, Yunusa Yakubu, Sani Usman, and Abdullahi Bello—suspected of being part of a kidnapping syndicate operating in the Babanla area.

“The suspects confessed to participating in multiple kidnappings across the state,” the police boss said.

CP Olaiya added that they were intensifying efforts to capture their ringleaders, known as “Kachalla” and “Gramazol,” who were at large.