Osun police arrest eight suspected cultists and political thugs

The Osun State Police Command announced that it had arrested eight individuals suspected of cultism and political violence during separate operations in Ilesa town and Osogbo, the state capital.

The arrests were part of a broader effort to curb criminal activity across the state. The police released the information in a statement issued on Sunday by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Police Public Relations Officer, speaking on behalf of CP Ibrahim Gotan. According to the statement, the Anti‑Cultism Unit carried out the arrests after receiving intelligence reports.

“The first arrest occurred on 17 June 2026 at about 6 pm after police received information that a suspected notorious cultist was terrorising residents of the Iloro community in Ilesa,” the statement read. “The Police patrol team from the Anti‑Cultism Unit of the Command swiftly moved to the area and arrested one Abiola Osobu Michael, male, aged 30, also known as ‘Small’.”

Police said the suspect confessed during interrogation to being a member of the Eiye confraternity. An axe, a live cartridge, a blue cap bearing the logo of the cult group and six other caps were recovered during the operation.

The command also reported that “on 19 June 2026 at about 1 am, operatives of the Anti‑Cultism Unit acted on intelligence that suspected cultists were terrorising members of the public in the Sasa area of Osogbo.”

Following the operation, seven additional suspects were apprehended: 29‑year‑old Afolabi Samson (aka Elesi), 28‑year‑old Ojute Imoleayo, 48‑year‑old Jimoh Olayinka, 40‑year‑old Oluwasesin Niyi, 19‑year‑old Robin Akeem, 19‑year‑old Robin Selim, and a 39‑year‑old female, Nurudeen Kafayat.

The police said efforts were ongoing to locate other suspects who escaped during the raid and that the arrested persons would be prosecuted after investigations were completed. “Effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspect(s) for prosecution. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement added.

CP Ibrahim Gotan also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely and warned young people to shun cultism and engage in lawful and meaningful activities.