Police Refute Social Media Claims of Bandit Arrests in Osun

The Osun State Police Command has refuted social‑media claims that suspected bandits were recently arrested in the state.

Investigations revealed no evidence linking the incidents to banditry.

In a statement released Monday by Commissioner of Police CP Ibrahim Gotan and Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command explained that it was compelled to address misleading videos that had caused public concern.

One incident involved a man who was apprehended by members of the public on the Lameco–Oke‑Fia Road in Osogbo on 3 June 2026 after he was suspected of being a bandit.

Police took the suspect to the Osogbo Area Command for investigation, where officers recovered a knife, an army‑camouflage trouser, local charms, and clothing materials.

“During the course of the investigation, the suspect exhibited signs of mental instability. Consequently, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a more thorough and discreet investigation,” the statement said.

Further inquiries identified the suspect as Adebayo Sunday, 38. Family members later visited investigators and confirmed his identity.

The command added that detectives contacted a native doctor who revealed that he had treated the suspect for a mental health condition more than a decade ago.

The suspect was subsequently referred from the Police Clinic to a psychiatric hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.

The police also addressed another viral video that alleged suspected bandits had been arrested in Imesi‑Ile on the same date.

Following the circulation of the footage, the Divisional Police Officer in the area arrested the individuals concerned and commenced investigations.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, where investigators determined that the case was unrelated to banditry.

The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Umaru, Usman Bello, and Umaru Aliyu, all cattle rearers residing in Imesi‑Ile with their families and livestock. Investigators interviewed community leaders and cattle owners as part of the inquiry.

According to the police, “The village head confirmed that the cattle rearers and their families had lived peacefully within the community for more than 20 years. The investigation eventually established a prima facie case of malicious damage involving farmland rather than any criminal activity linked to banditry.”

The statement noted that the complainants, Fatorisa Olawale and Adeniyi Adeoye, later informed the police of their decision to resolve the matter amicably and withdrew their complaint.

CP Ibrahim Gotan urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information that could create panic, and advised citizens to verify reports through official channels and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.