The Ondo State Police Command has arraigned nine suspected cultists at the Chief Magistrate Court in Akure over their alleged involvement in the recent deadly cult clashes that claimed multiple lives in Ondo City.
The suspects were among the 46 persons earlier arrested by the police during a coordinated anti-cult operation in the city. They include Akinrimade Ayomide (23), Olanrewaju Adejuwon (31), Kunle Johnson (29), Sodiq Ibrahim (25), Franklin Akinrinsola (29), Adebusoye Sunkanmi (30), Fadayomi Ayoola (45), Akingbesote Eric (31), and Akomoleyin Akin (29).
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the accused persons are facing a six-count charge bothering on conspiracy to commit felony, membership of unlawful societies, culpable homicide, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The charges are linked to the recent cult war that led to the killing of two young men, identified as Fagbemi Guna Ayomide (25) and Sunday Adeyemi (32), during a supremacy clash between rival cult groups.
One of the suspects, Adebusoye Sunkanmi, was singled out for unlawful possession of firearms, while the others were charged with being members of banned cult groups including Eiye, Ave and Aiye confraternities.
The police also disclosed that a known drug dealer and alleged cult financier, Akinsiku Olabode (52), who was killed in the recent clashes, had been using proceeds from drug trafficking to sponsor cult activities, purchase weapons, and fund initiation ceremonies in the city.
“This individual had long been on our watchlist. Intelligence gathered confirmed he was a major backer of one of the cult groups terrorising Ondo City,” the statement read.
In response to the growing violence, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the deployment of the Anti-Cultism Squad and the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad to support local operations and intensify the clampdown on cult-related activities in the state.
The police boss assured that the remaining suspects still under investigation would face the full wrath of the law once due process is completed.
He also called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers.
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