Saturday, October 31, 2026 -The Osun State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected
criminals, including two suspected cultists, following coordinated operations
against criminal hideouts across the state.
The arrests, according to a statement by the command Police
Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner
of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, followed coordinated raids conducted on October 25,
2026, at identified black spots and suspected criminal hideouts in Ode-Oga,
Gbonmi, Popo, Isale-Aro, Oja-Oba, Allie and Orisunmibare.
The Command disclosed that 35 individuals were arrested
during the operation and subsequently subjected to profiling and screening to
establish their possible involvement in criminal activities.
"Following the screening exercise, 23 persons were
released unconditionally, while the remaining suspects were retained for
further investigation.
"The 12 suspects retained from the initial operation
were identified as 40 year old Oluranti Fatao, 45 year old Suraju Adebayo, 27
year old Okunola Sodiq, 35 year old Ibrahim Sodiq, 28 year old Ganiyu Sikiru,
40 year old Moshood Adeleke, 22 year old Kayoye Oguntayo, 22 year old Alaudeen
Samad, 27 year old Ridwan Adegbola, 30 year old Busari Hammad, 29 year old
Abiodun Fiyiola and 28 year old Adeleke Olawale," the statement added.
In a related operation, the police disclosed it arrested two
additional suspected cultists, bringing the cumulative number of suspects
retained in connection with the reported operations to 14.
The police said preliminary interrogation and findings
linked the suspects to alleged criminal activities, including extortion,
thuggery, illicit drug-related activities and conduct capable of causing fear
and panic among innocent residents.
"Two suspected cultists were arrested and a locally
made firearm was recovered from them following a violent cult-related clash at
Laoye Street, Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State.
"The incident occurred on October 19, 2026, at about
12.30 pm, when detectives responded to a distress call reporting that suspected
cult members were attacking one another and firing sporadically, causing panic
among residents."
According to the police, "the operatives were ambushed
by armed suspected cultists upon arrival, with the attackers allegedly opening
fire on the team.
"Despite the attack, the operatives arrested one
suspect, identified as Salaudeen Mujib, who was allegedly found with a locally
made cut-to-size firearm. He reportedly sustained a minor gunshot injury to his
right thigh during the incident and received medical attention.
"During interrogation, Mujib reportedly confessed to
belonging to the Aye cult group. A subsequent search of the cordoned-off area
led to the arrest of another suspect, Olaposi Afeez, from whom a yellow battle
axe and local charms were recovered. He reportedly confessed to being a member
of the Eiye confraternity."
The Command disclosed that the suspects had been charged
before a competent court, although details of the charges were not provided.
The police said, "the operations formed part of efforts
to rid Osun State of criminal elements in line with directives issued by the
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, ahead of the 2027 general
elections."
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, in the
statement, directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical
teams to sustain intelligence-led raids on identified criminal hideouts within
their respective jurisdictions.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, said the
Command had intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the
suspected cult groups and recover additional weapons.
He warned individuals involved in cultism, unlawful
possession of firearms and other violent crimes to desist, while urging
residents to report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the nearest
police station or through established emergency channels.
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