Kwara police crackdown leads to the arrest of 13 suspected cultists and drug peddlers during a coordinated raid in Ilorin

Officers of the Kwara State Police Command, working alongside members of the National Forest Guard, have arrested 13 suspected cultists, thugs and drug peddlers during a coordinated security raid at Tanke Junction in Ilorin.

Also read: Kwara police deny allegations of unlawful detention of 16-year-old girl

The operation, carried out on Thursday, targeted what authorities described as a notorious criminal flashpoint within the Ilorin metropolis.

Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the Kwara police crackdown followed credible intelligence linking suspected hoodlums operating under the guise of commercial motorcyclists to cultism, street violence and illicit drug trafficking.

“The suspects were involved in cult-related activities, street violence, illicit drug trafficking and other criminal acts capable of disrupting public peace and safety within the area,” the police spokesperson stated.

During the raid, security operatives recovered 24 motorcycles, including five that were unregistered.

Police also seized various suspected illicit substances believed to be cannabis sativa, crystal methamphetamine known as “ice”, Colorado and tramadol, alongside other hard drugs.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the location allegedly served as a gathering point for drug peddling, recruitment into unlawful groups, intimidation of residents and planning of criminal operations across Ilorin and surrounding communities.

Ejire-Adeyemi said efforts were ongoing to arrest fleeing accomplices and dismantle the wider criminal network connected to the suspects.

The arrested individuals remain in police custody and will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

The Kwara police crackdown comes amid intensified security operations targeting cult-related violence and drug trafficking across several Nigerian states.

Authorities in Anambra recently arrested eight suspects linked to cult activities during a separate operation that also led to the recovery of suspected cannabis and other dangerous substances.

Also read: Kwara police arrest teen over aunt’s killing

Security agencies have continued to warn that the growing connection between cultism, drug abuse and organised street violence poses a serious threat to public safety, particularly among young people in urban centres.