Crime: Osun police arrest 14 suspects after raids

The arrests, in line with an announcement by the command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, adopted coordinated raids carried out on October 25, 2026, at recognized black spots and suspected legal hideouts in Ode-Oga, Gbonmi, Popo, Isale-Aro, Oja-Oba, Allie and Orisunmibare.

The Command disclosed that 35 people had been arrested in the course of the operation and subsequently subjected to profiling and screening to determine their attainable involvement in legal actions.

“Following the screening exercise, 23 persons were released unconditionally, while the remaining suspects were retained for further investigation.

“The 12 suspects retained from the preliminary operation had been recognized as 40 yr outdated Oluranti Fatao, 45 yr outdated Suraju Adebayo, 27 yr outdated Okunola Sodiq, 35 yr outdated Ibrahim Sodiq, 28 yr outdated Ganiyu Sikiru, 40 yr outdated Moshood Adeleke, 22 yr outdated Kayoye Oguntayo, 22 yr outdated Alaudeen Samad, 27 yr outdated Ridwan Adegbola, 30 yr outdated Busari Hammad, 29 yr outdated Abiodun Fiyiola and 28 yr outdated Adeleke Olawale,” the statement added.

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 had been arrested and a domestically made firearm recovered from them following a violent cult-related conflict 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 assault, the operatives arrested one suspect, recognized as Salaudeen Mujib, who was allegedly discovered with a domestically made cut-to-size firearm. He reportedly sustained a minor gunshot damage to his proper thigh in the course of the incident and acquired medical consideration.

“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 earlier than a reliable court docket, though particulars of the fees weren’t supplied.

The police mentioned, “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, within the assertion, directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical groups to maintain intelligence-led raids on recognized legal hideouts inside their respective jurisdictions.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, mentioned the Command had intensified efforts to apprehend different fleeing members of the suspected cult teams and recuperate extra weapons.

He warned people concerned in cultism, illegal possession of firearms and different violent crimes to desist, whereas urging residents to report suspicious actions and legal actions to the closest police station or by established emergency channels.