Police arrest six suspected cultists over attempted murder in Ekiti

By Boye Oyeyemi

Operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command have arrested six suspected members of a cult group over an alleged attempted murder following a violent clash at a hotel in Ikere-Ekiti.

The suspects were arrested by the command’s Rapid Response Squad in collaboration with surveillance operatives from the Ilupeju Police Division after they reportedly responded to a distress call on Saturday.

Police identified the suspects as Owolabi Oluwapelumi, 28; David Adeleke, 28; Oluwatoba Alo, 30; Olamilekan Junior, 27; Segun Bidemi, 29; and Emmanuel Oladele, 27. One of the suspected cultists, identified simply as Sucrose, reportedly sustained serious injuries during the clash and was taken to hospital for treatment.

“The operatives recovered a Toyota Camry car, two face caps bearing the Alora logo, three branded plastic cups, a blood-stained shirt, a pair of scissors, a yellow hand band and a key holder bearing the group’s insignia,” Abutu said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Alora Confraternity, adding that the recovered items had been taken into police custody as exhibits.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who fled the scene. The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, has directed that the investigation be intensified, while Inspiration Hotel is also being investigated for allegedly allowing its premises to be used for suspected cult activities,” he added.

The command further urged residents to provide credible and timely information that could aid the arrest of the fleeing suspects and other criminal elements.

It went further to assure the public of its continued commitment to tackling cultism and other violent crimes across Ekiti State.