Sodiq Rabiu
A suspected cult leader has been arrested in Nigeria’s southwestern state of Ogun, police said Friday.
Abiodun John, 25, suspected to be the leader of Alora cult group was arrested with an illegal firearm during a routine stop-and-search duty along the Akute/Olambe Road in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state, the Ogun State Police Command said.
John was arrested on Thursday at about 3:30 p.m. following a tip-off by some members of the public that indicated suspicion against him and other partners travelling inside a Toyota Venza car with dealer number URSMOT AUTOS 4657DLA, police spokeswoman Omolola Odutola said in a statement to reporters.
Odutola said that based on the information, the police officers from the Ajuwon Division swiftly pursued the car and stopped it. During the search of the vehicle, two locally-made pistols and three live cartridges were discovered in John’s possession.
“The Divisional Police Officer Ajuwon has arrested the leader of the Alora cult and confiscated a firearm found in his possession during a routine search inside the vehicle he was driving at the time of his arrest,” the police statement said.
“On January 9, 2025, at about 3:30 pm, Ajuwon police officers were conducting a lawful patrol and performing stop-and-search duties along the Akute/Olambe Road when they received information from the public regarding two men suspected to be inside a Venza car with dealer number URSMOT AUTOS 4657DLA.
“Immediately the information was intercepted, the officers pursued the vehicle, which was eventually stopped in front of the Osaro Mobile Filling Station. One suspect identified as Abiodun John, a 25-year-old male from the Olori area of Akute, was arrested, while another suspect remains at large.
“During the search of the vehicle, two locally-made pistols and three live cartridges were discovered in John’s possession.”
The statement noted that a preliminary investigation had commenced, and the suspect had been taken to the station along with the seized items.
According to the police, the case will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, the state capital, for further investigation.
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