The Kwara State police command has arrested eight suspected cultists and recovered firearms during a raid on a suspected cult hideout in the Ilorin metropolis.

The police spokesperson, ACP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said in a statement on Friday that the suspects were arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation.

“Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams of the Command, acted on credible intelligence and conducted a targeted raid at a suspected cultist’s hideout located in the Akuo and Fagba Area, Ilorin. 

The suspects were identified as Ismail Sodiq, 35; Ibrahim Saheed, 26; Azeez Olarenwaju, 27; Abdulbasit Abdulkadir, 24; Soliu Ibrahim, 22; Feyikemi Odoje, 28; Ishola Faisat, 23; and Abubakar Zainab, 22.

Ms Ejire-Adeyemi said officers recovered two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, 25 expended cartridges and other weapons allegedly capable of facilitating violent crimes.

She said the arrests and recovery of the weapons underscored the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

“Exhibits recovered include two (2) locally made pistols, one (1) pump-action shotgun, two (2) cut-to-size shotguns, twenty-five expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons capable of being used to facilitate violent crimes and threaten public safety,” she said.

“Investigations are ongoing to establish the extent of each suspect’s involvement, identify other members of the criminal network, and apprehend fleeing accomplices. Those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Ms Ejire-Adeyemi.