Police hunt Ogun cultist with officer’s severed hand

Exhibits. Photo: Police

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The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, says it is tracking a suspected cultist believed to be in possession of the severed hand of a policeman killed during a cult clash in the Ilese area of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The command also disclosed that no fewer than 20 suspects linked to the deadly attack have been arrested.

PUNCH Metro exclusively reported on Monday that the clash erupted on Saturday night when suspected cultists stormed the area, shooting sporadically.

A source had said the attackers killed a police officer and another yet-to-be-identified man, adding that the violence was believed to be a confrontation between members of the Aiye confraternity and the Eiye confraternity.

Giving an update, the spokesperson for the Zone 2 Command, Ayuba Umma, told our correspondent on Thursday that the arrested suspects, identified as members of the Aiye confraternity, were nabbed for alleged involvement in cultism, armed robbery and the murder of the officer.

She explained that the suspects stormed the community in retaliation for an earlier attack on their members, shooting indiscriminately and in the process killing the police officer and injuring two others.

She continued, “While searching for rival cult members within the neighbourhood, there was tension. Their activities drew the attention of a police officer, who is a resident of the community, alongside concerned neighbours, to assess the situation.

“Upon sighting them, the suspects opened fire on them, killing the Police officer instantly and leaving two other residents seriously injured. In a horrifying act of brutality, the attackers amputated the officer’s left hand and fled with it.”

Umma said operatives from the zone later raided the gang’s hideout after receiving intelligence that the suspects were regrouping.

She added that the operation led to the arrest of 20 suspects and the recovery of several exhibits.

The ZPRO continued, “Based on intelligence, in the early hours of December 1, 2025, at about 12 a.m., the syndicate’s hideout was raided in the Ogbere area of Ogun State, where members of the syndicate were believed to be regrouping.

“The raid resulted in the arrest of 20 suspects, all linked to offences including armed robbery, murder, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects during the operation include one Nissan Micra with Reg. No. KSH 793 XA, one double-barrel short gun, one single-barrel short gun, two locally made single-barrel pistols, 29 live cartridges, 19 mobile phones, the sum of N72,000, one wristwatch, three necklaces, and three ATM cards.”

She noted that efforts were ongoing to arrest one suspect believed to have fled with the amputated hand of the slain officer.

“Efforts are at top gear to apprehend a suspect at large, who is said to be in possession of the late officer’s amputated hand, and to possibly recover the same, as investigations are ongoing and security has been heightened within the affected communities to restore peace and protect residents.

“While urging members of the public to promptly inform the police of any suspected move to cause any breach of peace, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Adegoke Fayoade, reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators of these heinous crimes are made to face the full wrath of the law,” Umma concluded.

Johnson, an avid reader, has over four years experience in journalism covering education, politics and Metro.

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