Cultists in Osun renew hostility

The Osun state Police command Monday expressed concern over resurgence of cult-related violence, particularly in Osogbo, the state capital.

The command said it has deployed tactical units to restore order in affected neighborhoods, specifically targeting the Owo-Eba and Arowomole areas in the town.

Suspected cultists on Sunday, shot one Rasaq Wahab, popularly known as “Ojo Iku,” causing panic in the area.

Police confirmed that Wahab was promptly evacuated to a hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment and responding to treatment.

This latest shooting comes days after a violent clash occurred Friday in the Owo-Eba area, that claimed the lives of Adebayo Taoreed (Small Rugged) and Oluwaseyi Daniel (Osha), while several others suffered gunshot injuries.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, described the recurring violence as deeply disturbing and ordered all tactical teams to relocate to the Oke-Baale axis until normalcy is fully restored.

He said the tactical units have been instructed to conduct intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts and identified cult hotspots within the limits of the law.

The police noted that all related cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for detailed investigation.

“The commissioner has directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and tactical commanders to intensify patrols, gather actionable intelligence, and maintain a sustained presence across identified flashpoints in the metropolis,” Ojelabi stated.