A suspected cultist who allegedly opened fire on football fans in Ondo town has been arrested by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure, said the suspect was apprehended at his hideout following sustained intelligence gathering and a tactical operation by the command.

Although the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, preliminary findings link him to a violent cult clash earlier this year, which resulted in the deaths of rival group members in Ondo town.

The CP further revealed that the suspect was involved in the July 13, 2025, shooting at Template Bar and Club, Ondo, during the live broadcast of the FIFA Club World Cup final match between Chelsea and PSG.

“During the attack, suspected cultists opened fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting football enthusiasts, resulting in multiple injuries,” Lawal said. “This reckless act not only endangered lives but posed a direct threat to public peace and safety—the very values the Command is committed to upholding.”

The suspect, now in custody, is said to be cooperating with investigators as police intensify efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

Meanwhile, the command also confirmed the arrest of 30 suspected cultists in Ondo town between June and July 2025. The arrests, made within Lawal’s first month in office, were disclosed in a statement issued by police spokesperson, SP Ayanlade Olayinka.

All 30 suspects have since been charged in court, with items recovered including an English-made Beretta pistol with five rounds of live 3mm ammunition, a locally made pistol with two cartridges, three battle axes, cutlasses, daggers, cult insignias, charms, and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

Reiterating the command’s commitment to eradicating cultism and armed violence, Lawal urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to support security efforts in the state.