Police Arrest Three Suspected Cultists Over Student Kidnap and Murder in Kwara

(Nigeria Police.Photo by Nation News)

Three suspected cult members have been detained by the Kwara State Police Command on suspicion of being involved in the kidnapping and killing of a Kwara State Polytechnic student.

The command is presently holding the suspects, who are described as Adeoye Babatunde Alimi, 23, also known as “Solar,” Bernard Kayode, 25, also known as “KK,” and Owoyemi Bashiru, 27, also known as “GDP.”

Earlier this week, members of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) detained the three, who were allegedly members of the Eiye Confraternity.

Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the development and stated that the arrests were the result of thorough investigations and reliable intelligence.

She claims that on Monday, June 29, 2026, VCRU agents conducted coordinated tactical operations at known cult hideouts in the city of Ilorin, which resulted in the suspects’ capture.

According to her, preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects are members of a violent cult organization that is reportedly in charge of kidnapping 29-year-old Oyo State native Sodiq Durodola Olaniyi, who has been missing since June 4, 2026.

According to the authorities, inquiries are still underway to determine the complete facts surrounding the alleged kidnapping and murder as well as to identify further group members.

“During questioning, the suspects admitted to their individual involvement in the crime and revealed that the victim was killed by cult members following his kidnapping.

The criminal gang has twelve members, according to additional investigation, and nine more individuals are still at large.

Since then, tactical measures have been stepped up to capture further gang members who are on the run, break up the criminal network, and retrieve the victim’s remains.

“The suspects who are currently being held are also providing detectives with important information about other violent crimes that the organization is believed to have committed in the city of Ilorin. The investigation is still under progress.