Osun Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists, Recover Gun, Battle Axe and Charms

The Osun State Police Command has arrested two suspected cult members and recovered a locally made gun, a yellow battle axe and suspected charms during an operation in Ede North Local Government Area.

The command also arrested 14 other suspects during a separate security operation targeting identified black spots and suspected criminal hideouts across Osogbo, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday.

Ojelabi said the Ede North operation followed a distress call received on October 19 at about 12:30 p.m., reporting an attack involving suspected cultists at Laoye Street.

According to him, detectives deployed to the area came under attack shortly after arriving at the scene. The officers reportedly repelled the attackers and arrested a suspect allegedly found with a locally made cut-to-size gun.

The suspect sustained a minor gunshot injury to his right thigh during the incident and was immediately given medical attention, the police spokesperson said. He added that the suspect confessed during interrogation to being a member of the Aye cult group.

Ojelabi further disclosed that a search of the cordoned-off scene led to the arrest of another suspect, who was allegedly found with a yellow battle axe and suspected charms. The suspect reportedly confessed to belonging to the Eiye Confraternity.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the suspected cult groups and recover additional weapons.

In a separate operation in Osogbo, police arrested 14 suspects following coordinated raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Ode-Oga, Gbonmi, Popo, Isale-Aro, Oja-Oba, Allie and Orisunmibare.

Ojelabi said 37 people were initially arrested during the raids, but 23 were released unconditionally after profiling. He alleged that preliminary investigations linked the remaining 14 suspects to activities including extortion, thuggery, illicit drug-related offences and conduct capable of causing fear and panic among residents.

The police spokesperson said the 14 suspects had been charged to court.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes in Osun State. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or criminal activities to the nearest police station or through established emergency channels.