The Kogi State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists in Itobe, Ofu Local Government Area, and three men allegedly involved in an automated teller machine (ATM) card-swapping fraud syndicate in Idah.

The Commissioner of Police, Bello Kankarofi, disclosed the arrests during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Lokoja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

He said the operations followed intelligence gathering and surveillance aimed at preventing violent clashes and tackling financial crimes across the state.

Eight Suspected Cultists Arrested in Itobe

Kankarofi said police operatives attached to the Itobe Division, working with local auxiliary forces and community leaders, arrested eight male suspects on October 17, 2026.

The operation took place at about 5:45 p.m. at a location behind Government Secondary School in Itobe.

The suspects were identified as Mutari Ahmed, 26; Mohammed Tairu, 21; Audu Moses Yahaya, 27; Peter Vincent, 28; Progress Aminu, 21; Wisdom Friday, 21; Gabriel Enema, 22; and a 14-year-old boy.

Police reportedly recovered two TVS motorcycles, an axe and a cutlass during the operation.

According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had gathered to appoint a leader for a local cult group. Some allegedly admitted membership of the Aro-Baga Vikings and Aiye confraternities and provided information about other individuals linked to their activities.

Police Warn of Possible Cult Clashes

The commissioner said the arrests followed intelligence reports about possible violent clashes between rival cult groups in Itobe and Ejule communities.

He attributed the security concerns to longstanding rivalries, territorial disputes and retaliatory attacks.

The command said it had strengthened security measures to prevent violence, protect residents and commuters, and address threats of reprisals against security personnel and facilities.

The cult-related case has been transferred to the Violent Crime Response Unit for further investigation. Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and identify other people allegedly connected to the groups.

Three Suspected ATM Fraudsters Arrested in Idah

In a separate operation, police arrested three men in Idah on October 20, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., over alleged criminal conspiracy, fraudulent banking activities and ATM card swapping.

The suspects were identified as Philip Akiola, 50; Ojo Thomas, 56; and Abdulrauf Suleiman, 48.

Kankarofi said the arrests followed sustained surveillance that began after a victim reported on May 19, 2026, that his ATM card had been swapped, resulting in the loss of ₦1.5 million from his account.

The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 59 ATM cards belonging to different banks and a vehicle allegedly used by the syndicate.

How the Alleged Card-Swapping Scheme Worked

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects used a coordinated distraction technique to target unsuspecting ATM users.

One member of the alleged syndicate would reportedly observe a victim entering their personal identification number (PIN) and identify the bank card, while another distracted the victim.

The suspects would then allegedly swap the victim’s card and use the captured card and PIN to access funds in the account.

Police said further investigations indicated that the group had allegedly been involved in the scheme for more than a year.

The suspects reportedly identified a person known as “Sunday”, who is said to be outside Nigeria, as the individual who introduced them to the activity.

The command said the alleged operations primarily targeted ATM users at branches of First Bank, Union Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) within the area.

The case has been referred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lokoja for further investigation.

Police Advise ATM Users to Stay Alert

The command urged bank customers to shield their PINs when using ATMs, avoid unsolicited assistance from strangers and ensure they retrieve their own cards before leaving the machines.

Anyone who suspects that their card has been swapped was advised to contact their bank immediately to block the card and report the incident to the police.

Kankarofi said investigations into both cases were continuing and warned that anyone found culpable would be dealt with according to the law.

The suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court.