Ogun Police Apprehend Four Suspected Cultists in Ilaro Robbery Crackdown

​ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Police Command has intensified its offensive against violent crime with the arrest of four suspected cultists linked to a brutal assault and armed robbery in the Ilaro area.

​The suspects—identified as Samson John (25), Olufowora Michael (28), Odeh Samuel Ejeh (25), and Olajide Jeremiah (28)—were taken into custody following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. Their arrest underscores a broader tactical push by the command to sanitize the state’s trouble spots of cult-related violence.

​The Midnight Raid

​The breakthrough followed a formal complaint lodged at the Ilaro Division on April 16, 2026. According to the victim, a gang of seven men led by Samson John stormed his residence in broad daylight. The assailants reportedly subjected the victim to physical assault and threatened his life with an axe before fleeing with his high-end mobile device, an iPhone 14 Pro Max.

​Swift intervention by police operatives led to the tracking and subsequent apprehension of the four men. During the raid, officers recovered a chilling cache of items, including:

• ​One locally manufactured pistol
• ​A battle axe
• ​Assorted charms and talismans
• ​The victim’s stolen iPhone 14 Pro Max

​A Sustained Offensive

​In a statement released on Monday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed that while four members of the gang are in custody, a manhunt has been launched for the remaining fleeing accomplices.

​”The case has been officially transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for exhaustive investigation and eventual prosecution,” Babaseyi stated.

​This latest success comes on the heels of a highly active week for the command. Between April 14 and April 18, separate operations in the Mowe and Sagamu corridors resulted in the arrest of three other armed suspects. In those incidents, the Quick Response Squad (QRS) intercepted various firearms and cartridges during strategic stop-and-search duties.

​Zero Tolerance Policy

​The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism of the responding officers, noting that the command is operating under a “zero tolerance” mandate regarding cultism.

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​”We are sending a clear message to all criminal elements within the state,” the Commissioner remarked. “Whether in Ilaro, Mowe, or Sagamu, there will be no sanctuary for those who threaten the peace and security of Ogun residents.”

​As the SCID takes over the case, the police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to assist in the capture of the remaining gang members.