The Kogi State Police Command has announced the arrests of eight suspected cultists in Itobe, Ofu Local Government Area, and three suspected ATM card-swapping fraudsters in Idah, recovering 59 ATM cards and other items.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Kankarofi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Command’s headquarters in Lokoja.
Officers from the Itobe Division, working with local auxiliary forces and community leaders, raided a location behind Government Secondary School, Itobe, in Ofu Local Government Area at about 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 17, police said.
Eight males were arrested, including a 14-year-old boy. Police named the others as Mutari Ahmed, 26; Mohammed Tairu, 21; Audu Moses Yahaya, 27; Peter Vincent, 28; Progress Aminu, 21; Wisdom Friday, 21; and Gabriel Enema, 22. Officers recovered two TVS motorcycles, an axe and a cutlass.
According to Kankarofi, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had gathered to appoint a leader for a local cult group. Some allegedly admitted belonging to the Aro-Baga Vikings and Aiye confraternities.
He said that the arrests are significant in view of intelligence regarding planned violent clashes between rival cult groups in Itobe and Ejule communities.
He attributed this to Longstanding rivalries, territorial disputes and retaliatory attacks.
He said that the Command is also addressing reprisal threats against security personnel and facilities, with measures strengthened to prevent violence, protect residents and commuters, and maintain security in the area.
The commissioner said that the case has been transferred to the Violent Crime Response Unit for further investigation, including efforts to apprehend fleeing suspects, identify accomplices and establish the full extent of the groups’ activities.
He said that the Nigeria Police Force has no friendly, supportive or compromising relationship with cultists, secret confraternities or any criminal elements.
He said that residents of Itobe, Ejule and neighbouring communities, as well as commuters along the Itobe–Anyigba Road, are advised to remain vigilant, continue their lawful activities without panic, and report suspicious movements or threats to the nearest Police station.
“Anyone involved in, supporting or financing criminal cult activities should desist immediately. The Police will continue to act on credible intelligence and take lawful action against anyone found culpable,” he said.
CP Bello Kankarofi also said, “On 20 October 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., Police operatives arrested three suspects in Idah for criminal conspiracy, fraudulent banking activities and ATM card swapping. They are Philip Akiola, 50; Ojo Thomas, 56; and Abdulrauf Suleiman, 48.”
The arrests followed sustained surveillance initiated after a complaint on 19 May 2026, in which the victim reported that his ATM card had been swapped, resulting in the loss of ₦1.5 million from his account.
“The operation led to the recovery of 59 ATM cards belonging to different banks and a vehicle used by the syndicate. Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate targets unsuspecting ATM users through a coordinated distraction technique. One member observes the victim entering their PIN and identifies the bank card, while another creates a distraction. The victim’s card is then swapped, allowing the suspects to use the captured card and PIN to access the victim’s funds,” he stated.
Investigators said the group had been active for more than a year, mainly targeting ATM users at First Bank, Union Bank and UBA branches. The suspects told police that a man identified only as “Sunday,” who is currently abroad, introduced them to the scheme.
He said that the case is being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lokoja, for further investigation.
The Command advises residents to shield their PINs, avoid unsolicited assistance at ATMs and confirm that they have retrieved their own cards before leaving. Anyone who suspects a card swap should immediately contact their bank to block the card and report the incident to the Police.
CP Kankarofi said that Investigations into both cases are ongoing, and further developments will be communicated as appropriate, adding that all suspects will be dealt with in accordance with the law and are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
