Metro
Suspected kidnappers, cultists paraded in Oyo
The Oyo State Police Commissioner, Shina Olukoju, has paraded 10 students and three artisans for belonging to cult groups in the state.
Also paraded were suspected members of a kidnap gang that has been terrorising the Ibarapa of the state.
The suspects we’re paraded at a press conference addressed by Olukoju at the Eleyele headquarters of the command in Ibadan on Monday to highlight the accomplishments of the command since the launch of the Operation Puff Adder.
Olukolu said: “We have rejigged our security architecture through community and intelligence led-policing, revamped vehicular patrol, the launch of Operation Puff Adder and public partnership to rid the state of kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes in order to stem the rising wave of criminal activities.
“On May 1, information was received by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Saki Operational Base, that some members of a notorious confraternity, who had been engaged in various acts of violence and criminal activities in Saki town and other areas in the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State, were sighted in their hideout beside the Nighles Hotel in Saki.
Read also: Kidnappers demand N6m ransom each for twins kidnapped in Ekiti
“They had gathered to initiate new members into the confraternity. Ten members of the group, who confessed to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, were arrested.
“Seven out of the 13 arrested are students of the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic; one each from Landmark University, University of Ibadan and the National Open University, while the other three are artisans.
“One Jack knife, one live cartridge, two black caps, charms and Indian hemp were recovered from the cult members.”
Three suspected kidnappers, who allegedly laid ambush on the Igbo-Ora/Eruwa Road, were also paraded.
According to the police, the suspected kidnappers killed one of their victims while others were rescued, adding that SARS operatives gunned down one Umar Abubakar, the kingpin of the kidnappers while attempting to escape.
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