In anticipation of the annual Founders’ Day celebration of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, also known as the Black Axe Cult, the Oyo State Police Command has intensified its security presence across the state. The event, scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025, traditionally draws significant attention due to concerns about potential violence.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed in a statement from Ibadan that intelligence gathered through community partnerships and proactive policing has indicated possible threats from rival gangs planning retaliatory violence during the festivities.
“Our intelligence-led policing and community partnership efforts have yielded vital information suggesting that rival gangs may engage in large-scale retribution and mayhem during this event,” Osifeso said.
To mitigate these risks, the police have finalized the deployment of officers strategically throughout Oyo State to ensure rapid response capabilities and maintain public order.
The command has also engaged in sensitization campaigns targeting stakeholders such as hoteliers, lounge owners, and operators of studio apartments, warning them against facilitating gatherings linked to cult groups known for violent activities. “Our intelligence suggests that the movement may use the occasion to execute plans that could lead to serious public disorder, including reprisals against rival cult groups,” Osifeso added.
In a call to action, the police urged parents, guardians, community leaders, and influential figures to collaborate with law enforcement in discouraging youth participation in cultism and violent assemblies. “It is crucial to engage our youth in conversations about the dangers of cultism and the severe consequences of participating in violent or unlawful gatherings,” the PPRO emphasized.
These measures underscore the state’s commitment to ensuring peace and safety during a period historically marked by tension and unrest.
