The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight students of Ifo High School for allegedly engaging in cult activities.
The students, aged between 15 and 16, were taken into custody on Friday after the school’s principal, Mr. Alako Oluwole, and a teacher, Mr. Akinseku Oloruntoba Julius, reported their activities to the police.
The arrested students include 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).
During questioning, the students reportedly admitted to being members of a cult group called Future Guys (F.T.G.). They claimed that two Senior Secondary School One (SSS 1) students, Ebenezer Ope and Ebenezer Tobi, initiated them into the group.
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Saturday.
“The Ifo Divisional Police Officer, in collaboration with the school authorities, apprehended eight students suspected of cultism after the school raised concerns about their activities,” she said.
She added that the police have started an investigation to understand the full extent of cult-related activities in the school. “The students will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department after preliminary investigations are completed,” Odutola stated.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, has directed that the students be brought before him for further questioning. He also assured that they would receive counselling and mentoring to prevent further involvement in cultism.
Ogunlowo urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to work together to stop cultism in schools. He reiterated the police command’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in the state.
