The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), identified as Abdul Boluwatife, during a secret cult meeting in the university area.
Boluwatife, who had been on the police watchlist for some time, was reportedly apprehended while coordinating a clandestine meeting with other suspected cult members within the university’s axis. Police described him as a “notorious cultist” and the leader of the group operating in and around the AAUA campus.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the arrest was part of a larger operation aimed at tackling cultism in higher institutions across the state.
“The suspect was arrested during a secret meeting with other members of the cult group. Upon interrogation, he confessed to being the leader of a known cult group operating within the university community,” she stated.
The police said the arrest was made following credible intelligence and weeks of surveillance on the activities of the suspect and his group. According to the police, Boluwatife had been terrorising students and residents of Akungba and its surrounding areas for a long time.
The Command revealed that dangerous weapons and cult-related items were recovered from the scene of the arrest. Among the recovered items were a locally fabricated pistol, five big cutlasses, a battle axe, two cult berets, a shisha box, a red knife, a black hand glove, and several bottles of Squadron gin.
“These items were found during a thorough search following the arrest,” the police spokesperson added. “The recovery of such weapons highlights the level of threat these groups pose to public safety and peace, especially within university communities.”
The suspect is currently in police custody, and further investigations have commenced. A manhunt has also been launched for the other cult members who fled during the police operation.
“The Anti-Cultism Squad of the Command is working discreetly to unravel the full network of the cult group. We are determined to dismantle their operations and restore safety to the university environment,” the police said.
Cultism has remained a serious problem in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with many students either forced into joining cult groups or facing intimidation from them. In recent years, reports of clashes between rival cult groups have led to loss of lives, injuries, and increased insecurity on campuses.
Ondo State, which hosts several universities and polytechnics, has not been spared. The police and university authorities have had to ramp up surveillance and security to prevent cult-related violence.
AAUA, a state-owned institution located in Akungba-Akoko, has also witnessed cult clashes in the past, prompting calls for stricter security measures around the campus.
The police have appealed to the public, especially students and residents of Akungba, to report suspicious activities and support efforts to end cultism in the area. They also urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children’s behavior while in school.
“Cultism destroys lives and futures. We are calling on students to stay away from these dangerous groups and focus on their education,” the statement concluded.
The Ondo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring peace and security across educational institutions in the state and warned that anyone caught engaging in cult-related activities would face the full weight of the law.
