Omu-Aran: Cultists Allegedly Spark Violent Protest After Police Move on Notorious Drug Lord * Plus photos and videos of the mayhem 

By Omowumi Omotosho

What began as a protest reportedly triggered by alleged police harassment of a suspected internet fraudster in Omu-Aran on Sunday had spiraled into violent unrest, with National Pilot investigation revealing that contrary to early claims that the unrest was a spontaneous response to police brutality, reliable sources and police intelligence indicated that,the violence was indeed instigated by members of the suspected Eiye confraternity following a botched police operation to apprehend one Azeez, popularly known as “AZ,” a notorious figure in Omu-Aran linked to drug trafficking, arms dealing, and cult-related activities.

Azeez, who was reportedly released recently by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), was said to have just acquired a Lexus SUV valued at N15 million. Police sources disclosed that Azeez had long been under surveillance due to his alleged involvement in supplying pump-action rifles to armed robbers and cult groups operating within the region.

motorcycle belonging to the monarch’s orderly burnt to ashes at the palace 

Police vehicle (above) and other items vandalised 

Acting on intelligence from informants, police officers reportedly traced Azeez to a location in Omu-Aran on Sunday, but he had reportedly fled the place before their arrival.

Another tipoff pointed the investigating officers to the launch event of MAK-G Communication, a new business outfit which deals in household items and accessories and said to be owned by an Igbo businessman who is suspected to have ties with Azeez.

MAK-G COMMUNICATION where Azeez alleged visited

” When police arrived at the venue, they were met with violent resistance, allegedly led by MAK-G himself and his girlfriend, who reportedly attempted to wrestle a firearm from an officer in a bid to prevent Azeez’s arrest,” a police source told National Pilot.

Another vandalised vehicle 

It was further revealed that “the confrontation quickly descended into chaos as a group of suspected Eiye cultists reportedly joined the fray, further escalating the violence. In the confusion, Azeez managed to escape. The police then tried to arrest MAK-G alongside his girlfriend for impeding their operation and allowing the escape of their suspect, but a fresh mob descended, attacking the officers, smashing their patrol vehicle with stones, and injuring several of them. Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse the crowd and retreated to the Omu-Aran police station.”

The protesters 

One of the leaders of the protest 

However, the violence didn’t end there. Another group of hoodlums arrived at the station, blocked its entrance, and threatened to burn it down. The mob was again dispersed with smoke.

The situation worsened when the crowd turned their fury on the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti’s Palace. In a shocking twist, protesters chanted slogans against the monarch and set fire to a motorcycle belonging to his orderly.

Police were again deployed to the palace to restore order. By Monday, the unrest intensified. Protesters regrouped, armed with stones and other dangerous weapons and again attacked both the police station and the palace. The Omu-Aran Aperan Microfinance Bank, a community-owned institution which is close to the palace also suffered damage, with its fence destroyed and the bank’s CCTV camera, signboard and three vehicles parked in the bank’s premises vandalised. The hoodlums assumed the bank was owned by the monarch, hence the attempt to destroy it.

Following these developments, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, ordered reinforcements from Ilorin, including a tactical police squad and military personnel. The intervention brought the situation under control. Some of the individuals believed to have participated in the violence were said to have been arrested and taken to Ilorin for interrogation.

Throughout the violent attacks, the police were said to have maintained high level of professionalism in quelling the situation without firing gunshots despite the injuries inflicted on them by the hoodlums.

As of press time, security operatives remain stationed in Omu-Aran to maintain peace and prevent further breakdown of law and order.