The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight students of Ifo High School over their alleged involvement in cult activities within the school premises.
The students, aged between 15 and 16, were apprehended following a report by the school’s Vice Principal, Mr Alako Oluwole, and a teacher, Mr Akinseku Oloruntoba Julius.
The school authorities had raised concerns over the students’ involvement in cult-related activities, including extortion and harassment of fellow students.
The suspects, identified as Omolaso Waris (16), Bennett Bolawatife (15), Aluko Taiwo (15), Akinola Ifeoluwa (16), Azeez Hassan (16), Kilani Babatunde, also known as “Soldier” (16), Kehinde Aluko (15), and Fasedemi Samuel (16), reportedly confessed to being initiated into a cult group known as “Future Guys” by two Senior Secondary School One (SSS1) students, Ebenezer Ope and Ebenezer Tobi.
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Saturday, noting that investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of cult activities in the school.
“The Ifo Divisional Police Officer, in collaboration with the school authorities, has arrested eight students suspected of engaging in cult-related activities after concerns were raised about an emerging gang of student cultists,” CSP Odutola stated.
She further revealed that “preliminary investigations confirmed that the students are members of the Future Guys cult group and were initiated by two senior students, who allegedly act as the group’s leaders.”
The students will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department upon the conclusion of preliminary investigations.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has ordered that the arrested students be brought before him for further interviews, after which necessary referrals for counseling and mentorship will be arranged.
Reiterating his commitment to combating cultism, CP Ogunlowo urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to work together in tackling the menace of cultism in schools.
“We will not tolerate any form of cult-related activities in our schools. It is important that all stakeholders collaborate to protect our children from such negative influences,” the commissioner stated.
