Police commands in Oyo, Rivers and Yobe states have recorded major breakthroughs in separate intelligence-led operations, arresting seven suspects linked to alleged cultism, armed robbery, the killing of two police officers and cattle rustling, while recovering firearms, stolen rifles and 19 cows.

In Oyo State, the Police Command arrested three suspected cultists and armed robbers in Ibadan, recovering a locally fabricated pistol and other dangerous weapons during a routine stop-and-search operation.

The suspects were arrested by operatives attached to the Oluyole Divisional Police Headquarters around the Rhema Bridge axis of Oluyole after officers observed suspicious movements by the occupants of a Bajaj motorcycle.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said a thorough search led to the recovery of a cut-to-size locally fabricated pistol and an axe concealed in a black school bag.

“The suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the exhibits were recovered for further investigation,” he said.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects are members of the Aiye and Eiye cult groups.

The suspects also allegedly confessed to participating in a series of violent crimes, including armed robbery.

The command said investigations had been intensified to establish the full extent of their involvement in cult-related activities and other crimes, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network.

In Rivers State, the Police Command arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the killing of two police officers during a stop-and-search operation in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Council, on June 29, 2026.

According to the police, the officers came under attack while on duty. One sustained severe injuries that led to the amputation of his leg before he later died, while another officer was killed during the assault.

Their service AK-47 rifles were also stolen by the attackers.

Spokesperson for the command, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, immediately ordered the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen weapons.

Operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, acting on credible intelligence, subsequently arrested three suspects identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, alias “Doctor,” 34; Chinedu Owhor, 42; and Kamachi Joe, 28, all natives of Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council.

Police recovered three AK-47 rifles, including two allegedly stolen from the slain officers, as well as one Scorpion rifle.

Investigators said the suspects also made useful confessional statements linking the gang to other murder cases currently under investigation, while efforts were ongoing to arrest another suspected gang member who remains at large.

Meanwhile, in Yobe State, the Police arrested a 28-year-old man, Umar Sanda, over the alleged rustling of 19 cows in Bursari Local Council.

Police said Sanda, a resident of Lafiya Fulani community in Katagum Local Council of Bauchi State, was arrested on July 31, 2026, while in possession of the suspected stolen cattle.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said the arrest followed credible intelligence gathered along the Yobe-Bauchi axis.

Operatives of the Garin Alkali Divisional Police Headquarters intercepted the suspect with the cattle on the outskirts of Dumburi Village in Masaba Ward, Bursari Local Council.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed the cattle belonged to his brother but failed to provide satisfactory proof of ownership or explain how he came into possession of the animals.

The suspect has been taken into custody, while the 19 cows have been secured pending investigations to establish their rightful ownership and determine whether any criminal offence was committed.