Varsity cult leader arrested in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a suspected cult leader in Akungba-Akoko as part of a sustained crackdown on cult-related activities across tertiary institutions in the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, said the arrest followed credible intelligence received on October 15, 2025, around 1:00 p.m.

According to him, officers got a tip-off that some young men had gathered within the premises of A.U.D. Secondary School, Akungba, for a clandestine meeting.

“On sighting the police, the suspects took to their heels, but one Abdul Boluwatife was given a hot chase and subsequently arrested,” the statement read.

DSP Olayinka added that the suspect confessed to being a member of a known cult group and identified himself as the group’s leader within Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

He said the suspect had been on the command’s watchlist for a while due to his involvement in violent activities in the area.

A follow-up operation led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, five cutlasses, a battle axe, a shisha box, two cult berets, five bottles of Squadron gin, a red knife, and a black hand glove.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, “for his strategic leadership and continuous support in providing operational direction and resources that have greatly enhanced the Command’s anti-cultism operations.”