Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a suspected cult leader, Boluwatife Abdul, a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

Abdul, described as a notorious cultist within the university community, was arrested while holding a clandestine meeting with members of his confraternity group.

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the suspect had been on the command’s watchlist for some time. He explained that the arrest was part of ongoing efforts by the police to curb cult-related activities across tertiary institutions in the state.

Ayanlade noted that the command had launched a manhunt for other fleeing members of the group and that dangerous weapons were recovered during the operation.

He said: “Following credible information received from a good-spirited member of the public that some unknown young men had gathered within the premises of A.U.D. Secondary School, Akungba, holding a clandestine meeting and chanting slang identified to be cult-related, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“Upon sighting the police, the suspects took to their heels, but one, Abdul Boluwatife, was given a hot chase and subsequently arrested. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a known cult group and further revealed himself as the leader of the group within Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

“Findings have also revealed that the suspect, who is now in custody, is a notorious cultist terrorising Akungba and its environs and has been on the watchlist of the command for a considerable period of time.”

He added: “A thorough search and follow-up investigation led to the recovery of the following items: one locally fabricated pistol, five big cutlasses, one battle axe, one shisha box, two cult berets, five bottles of Squadron gin, one red knife, and one black hand glove.

“The suspect is currently in custody while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the cult group. The Anti-Cultism Squad of the command has since commenced a discreet investigation to unravel the full network of the cult syndicate operating within the area.”