The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected cultists, thugs and drug peddlers during a major security operation at Tanke Junction in Ilorin, the state capital.

The raid, carried out by operatives of the command in collaboration with members of the National Forest Guard, followed credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements allegedly disguising as commercial motorcyclists in the area.

According to a statement issued on Thursday May 7 by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation targeted hoodlums accused of engaging in cult-related activities, street violence, illicit drug trafficking and other offences threatening public peace in the metropolis.

Items recovered during the operation include 24 motorcycles, five of which were said to be unregistered. The security operatives also recovered substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, crystal methamphetamine popularly known as “ice,” Colorado, tramadol and other hard drugs.

The command disclosed that investigations revealed that the suspects used the location as a gathering place for crime-relates activities, and that efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the criminal network and dismantle their operations across the state capital.

It added that the suspects currently in custody would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

The police reassured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at tackling cultism, drug abuse and violent crimes in Kwara State.