Ondo Police arrest suspected cult leader Akinwale Tomiwa in Akure, linking him to the killing of a Rufus Giwa Polytechnic student in Owo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cult leader, Akinwale Tomiwa, over alleged cult-related activities in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Also read: Akwa Poly Lecturer Jailed Over Extortion and Cultism

The suspect, described by the police as a notorious cult figure in the community, was also alleged to have been involved in the killing of a student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, identified as Ojo Peter.

The arrest was confirmed on Sunday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh.

According to Jimoh, operatives of the command’s Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Akure apprehended the suspect following credible intelligence.

“Operatives of the Command’s Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Akure, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Akinwale Tomiwa, popularly known as Bella,” Jimoh said in a statement.

“The suspect is alleged to be the leader of the notorious Eiye Confraternity operating within Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, and its environs.”

Jimoh explained that the arrest followed intelligence indicating that the suspect had been sighted around NEPA Junction in Akure.

“Acting swiftly on the information, operatives mobilised to the location and successfully apprehended him without incident,” he said.

Link to Student Killing

Preliminary investigations by the police have linked the suspect to the killing of Ojo Peter, which occurred on December 12, 2025, in Owo.

The incident had raised concerns among residents and was believed to be connected to rivalry between cult groups in the area.

Further intelligence, according to the police spokesperson, also indicated that the suspect was recently featured on a cult-related social media platform, Naija Confra, for allegedly participating in an attack on suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity along Fasawe Street in Owo.

Jimoh said the attack was reportedly part of an ongoing supremacy battle between rival cult groups in the community.

Charms Recovered

During the arrest, officers reportedly recovered several items suspected to be criminal charms from the suspect.

The police said the items were believed to be used for protection and intimidation during cult-related activities.

Also read: YABATECH Student Shot Dead in Suspected Cult Attack

Authorities added that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate linked to the suspect.