The Kwara State Directorate of the State Security Service (DSS), yesterday paraded seven tertiary institution students in Ilorin, the state capital over alleged abduction and rape.

Other offences allegedly committed by the suspects include cultism and possession of fake currency notes. 

The suspects are Abdulrasak Abubakar, Musa Sikirullahi; Kamaldeen Isiaka; Olanrewaju Lawal; Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Tunde Yusuf and Abdularaham Jimoh

The state Director, DSS Williams Ologba told reporters shortly before parading the suspects that items recovered from them included cult masks, charms, locally made pistol, three different sizes of cutlasses, and N72, 000 fake currency notes in N500 denominations.

He added that the suspects were students of one of the state colleges of education, saying that "there was information that a female student of one of the colleges of education in the state was abducted and raped by four other people.” 

Ologba, who said there was a resurgence of cult activities in the state, added that items displayed were recovered from the suspects during the raid of their hideouts.

He said two of the suspects allegedly raped one of their female colleagues, adding that the culprits who were arrested, subsequently named other members involved in the crime.

Mr. Ologba who said investigations had revealed that cult members have declared every July as their month of cult activities, appealed to members of the public to expose suspected cult members in their communities as part of measures to keep them out of the society.

His words: "It has become necessary to invite you because of the recent development in the state. Not too long ago, we had incidents of cult activities where two cult members were killed and one of them was beheaded. We were made to understand that the beheading was to hide the identity of the victim. The state government had taken resolute measures to check further occurrence.

"There was information that some students of one of the colleges of education in the state was abducted and raped by four other people. In the course of the investigation, the culprits were arrested and other members of the gang were arrested. In the course of our search, these items were found. Seven people were arrested. 

"They were arrested in connection with abduction, rape and cult activities. Their arrest followed the cooperation of others. If the victims had not reported, it could have been difficult for us to make these arrests. 

"We are urging members of the public to help us get the perpetrator so that we can take measures to protect the society and take the culprits to where they can be reformed to rejoin the society after reformation."