Cultists planning to mark ‘Cultist Day’, Osun police read Riot Act

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Police Command says intelligence has revealed that cultists in the country are planning to mark tomorrow, July 7 as ‘Cultist Day’.

According to police cultists are planning to mark Tuesday 7 July with nationwide celebration of cultism and initiate secondary school students massively among others into their fold.

The police revealed this on Monday evening in a press release signed by the state Police Public Relations Officers, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.

Police therefore warned against such an activity and vowed that perpetrators would be delt with in accordance with the law.

“The Police Command hereby warns all cult groups and individuals against engaging in any activity to commemorate or celebrate July 7, 2026, referred to by some criminal elements as a cult-related day as the command is earnestly monitoring their activities.

“In view of this, the Command has deployed adequate personnel and operational assets across the state to ensure the safety of lives and property. Intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search duties, patrols, and surveillance have been intensified to prevent any breach of public peace as the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips, has given marching orders to the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Commanders of Violent Crime Response Units (VCRU) to be on the alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state,” the release said.

CP Gotan urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and community leaders to caution their children/wards against associating with cult groups or participating in any gathering linked to cult activities.

He reiterated that cultism remains a criminal offence, “and anyone found organising, participating in, or promoting cult-related activities will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

Police also warned hoteliers, recreation/event centers and landlords/landladies not to allow their facilities to be used for any cult related activities/meetings, as owners of such facilities are liable to prosecution.

The CP advised people of the state to go about their legitimate businesses, assuring that the command has taken necessary security measures to forestall any likely breakdown of law and order.

He urged the citizens to be security conscious, vigilant, co-operate and collaborate with the security agents by giving useful, credible and timely information and report any suspicious movement or activities of cultists and other criminals through phone number: 08039537995,