Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested 30 suspected cultists during a raid on an initiation gathering in Isara-Remo, Remo North Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out by officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in collaboration with personnel from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division, followed intelligence reports of a suspected cult-related assembly at an uncompleted building in the community.

The arrested suspects include Muiz Olawale, Adeniji Akinwale, Ajayi Victor, Damilola Oluwasegun, Adewale Olayemi, Aminu Rahmon, Olodudu Ademola, Matthew Imoleayo, Adenle Habeb, Lekan Qudus, and Olamilekan Ayanleke.

Others include, Adegbasa Ezekiel, Ibukun Adeniyi, Abiodun Babatunde, Oshofolahan Michael, Salau Adedeji, Benjamin Kehinde, Magnus Elijah, Oluwadamilare Samson, Oyebowale Ojutona, Abiodun Makanjuola and Idowu Toheeb.

Olamide Sunday, Malik Also, Abdullahi Damilola, Israel Ayomikun, Oyeledun Ezekiel, Adelabu Imoleayo, Ajayi Oluwasegun, and Olaawun Faith, were also part of the arrested suspects.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation took place on Tuesday at about 4:00 p.m.

The police said intelligence indicated that a group of young men had converged at the location for an unlawful gathering allegedly involving cult-related activities, initiation attempts, chanting, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Acting on the information, security operatives stormed the premises, dispersed the gathering and arrested 30 male suspects.

The police also recovered four vehicles abandoned by fleeing suspects during the operation. 

Other items recovered at the scene included a jackknife, a local drum, a "sekere" (traditional rattle), and several bottles suspected to have been used during the gathering.

According to the command, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The police added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the raid.

Commenting on the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and swift response.

He described the raid as a reflection of the command's commitment to intelligence-driven policing and its determination to combat cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

Ojajuni reiterated that the command would not tolerate cult-related activities or any form of unlawful assembly, warning individuals involved in such acts to desist or face the full weight of the law.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.

The suspects are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.