Osun police arrest eight suspected cultists, political thugs

The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected cultists and political thugs in separate operations carried out in Ilesa town and Osogbo, the state capital.

The Command revealed that the arrests were part of efforts to curb criminal activities across the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, who said the arrests were made by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit following intelligence reports.

According to the statement, “the first arrest occurred on June 17, 2026, at about 6pm after police received information that a suspected notorious cultist was terrorising residents of the Iloro community in Ilesa.

“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 years, 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 stated that “on June 19, 2026, at about 1am, 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 identified as 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 female, 39-year-old Nurudeen Kafayat were apprehended.”

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the raid, adding that the arrested persons would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.

“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, advised parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely and urged young people to shun cultism and engage in lawful and meaningful activities.