Ondo Town, Nigeria — In a major victory against cult-related violence, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested 46 suspected cultists during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in Ondo Town.
The raid, which began at 4:00 a.m. on May 27 and concluded late on May 28, 2025, was personally supervised by the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, and involved elite tactical units including the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS).
According to the police spokesman Ayanlade, the suspects have confirmed ties to various cult groups linked to a series of deadly clashes that recently rocked the community.
“We are sending a clear message to those who think they can terrorize our communities,” said CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi. “This operation is just the beginning. We are fully committed to rooting out every element of cultism from Ondo State.”
During the raids, police recovered cult insignias, weapons, and ammunition believed to have been used in the attacks. The operation also disrupted several planned cult gatherings.
“This was an intelligence-led operation, not a random sweep,” emphasized DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the Police Public Relations Officer. “We acted on credible information, and our tactical teams moved swiftly and decisively. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
The Ondo State Police Command has assured residents that this is part of a broader effort to restore peace and eliminate organized cultism across the state.
“We urge law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses without fear,” DSP Olushola added. “The police, in partnership with other security agencies, are working round the clock to sustain this momentum and keep Ondo safe.”
Authorities also called on community leaders and residents to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely information to law enforcement agencies.
