Osun Police Arrest Eight Suspected Cultists, Political Thugs

The Osun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists and political thugs in separate operations conducted in Ilesa and Osogbo, the state capital.

The command said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities and improve security across the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.

According to the statement, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit carried out the arrests following intelligence reports on the activities of suspected cult members terrorising residents in parts of the state.

The first operation was conducted on June 17, 2026, at about 6pm after the police received information about a suspected notorious cultist allegedly causing fear among residents of the Iloro community in Ilesa.

The statement said police patrol officers attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit immediately moved to the area and arrested Abiola Osobu Michael, a 30-year-old man popularly known as “Small”.

The police said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was a member of the Eiye confraternity.

Items recovered from him included an axe, a live cartridge, a blue cap bearing the logo of the cult group and six other caps suspected to belong to members of the group.

In another operation carried out on June 19, 2026, at about 1am, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit raided the Sasa area of Osogbo following reports that suspected cultists were terrorising members of the public.

The operation led to the arrest of seven additional suspects identified as Afolabi Samson, also known as “Elesi”; Ojute Imoleayo; Jimoh Olayinka; Oluwasesin Niyi; Robin Akeem; Robin Selim; and Nurudeen Kafayat.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects who escaped during the operation.

The command added that the arrested individuals would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

“Effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspect(s) for prosecution. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement read.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards, while advising youths to avoid cultism and embrace productive activities.

He assured residents that the command would continue to take decisive action against criminal elements threatening peace and security in the state.