Police bust suspected cultists, political thugs in Osun

By Isa Isawade

The Osun Police Command has busted gangs of cultists and political thugs terrorising parts of the state and arrested eight suspects.

This was made known through a press release by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on Sunday in Osogbo.

Items such as ammunition, charms and insignia were confiscated from the suspects.

The arrested suspects, according to the release include ABIOLA OSOBU MICHAEL ‘M’ AGED 30YRS a.k.a
‘Small’; AFOLABI SAMSON ‘M’ AGED 29YRS a.k.a ‘Elesi’; OJUTE IMOLEAYO ‘M’ AGED 28YRS; JIMOH OLAYINKA ‘M’ AGED 48YRS, and OLWASESIN NIYI ‘M’ AGED 40YRS.

Others are ROBIN AKEEM ‘M’ AGED 19YRS; ROBIN SELIM ‘M’ AGED 19YRS, and NURUDEEN KAFAYAT ‘F’ AGED 39YRS.

Items recovered from them include one axe, one live cartridge, one blue cap with Eye Confraternity logo and six other face caps.

Police narrated that: “On the 17th June, 2026 at about 1800hrs, upon information that a suspected notorious cultist was terrorizing Iloro community, Ilesa town, Police patrol team from the Ant-Cultism Unit of Command swiftly moved to the area and arrested one Abiola Osobu Michael ‘m’ a.k.a ‘Small’ aged 30yrs. He confessed to be member of Eiye confraternity.

“In the same vein, on 19th June 2026 at about 0100hrs, the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Command upon information gathered that some hoodlums suspected to be cultists were sighted at Sasa area, Osogbo terrorising members of the public. A conducted operation was launched; the team swiftly mobilised to the scene and apprehended the above suspects.

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

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips is using this medium to advice parents and guardians to rein on their wards to shun cultism and engage in meaningful business/activities.”