Suspected cult leader Bella arrested over murder in Ondo
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected leader of the Eiye Confraternity, Akinwale Tomiwa, popularly known as Bella, over his alleged involvement in cult-related violence and murder in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the arrest was made following credible intelligence linking the suspect to violent cult activities within Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, and its surrounding communities.
Jimoh said the suspect, who had earlier been placed on the command’s watchlist, was arrested around the NEPA Junction area of Akure after security operatives acted on information about his whereabouts.
He said, “Operatives of the Command’s Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Akure, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Akinwale Tomiwa, popularly known as Bella, who is alleged to be the leader of the notorious Eiye Confraternity operating within Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, and its environs.”
The police spokesman added that preliminary investigations linked the suspect to the killing of one Ojo Peter in a violent clash between cult groups which occurred on December 12, 2025, in Owo, adding that the suspect was recently featured on a cult-related social media platform known as Naija Confra for allegedly participating in an attack along Fasawe Street in Owo.
“Further intelligence revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in an attack on suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity along Fasawe Street in Owo, an incident believed to be part of an ongoing supremacy battle between rival cult groups in the area,” Jimoh stated.
The statement also revealed that a search conducted during the arrest led to the recovery of items suspected to be charms reportedly used for protection and intimidation during cult-related activities.
The officer went further to indicate that the suspect had been arraigned before a court on a six-count charge bordering on murder and other related offences, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate linked to the suspect while urging residents to remain vigilant and support the police with timely and credible information that could aid the fight against cultism and other forms of criminality in the state.
