Six Cult Members Nabbed In Osogbo As Police Intensify Crackdown

The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspected cult members alleged to have been terrorising Osogbo and neighbouring communities.

The Command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday, in Osogbo.

He explained that the arrests were part of ongoing efforts by Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to tackle cultism and violent crime across the state.

According to Ojelabi, two suspects, known by the nicknames ‘ORIFE’ and ‘AGA’, both aged 29, were arrested on August 21 around 6:30 p.m. during a student union event at a higher institution in the state.

“They confessed to being members of Aiye and Buccaneer confraternities respectively,” he said.

He added that on August 19, operatives from the anti-cultism unit, acting on credible intelligence, stormed Okuku Town, where four more suspects were apprehended.

“The suspects confessed to being members of the Aiye confraternity,” Ojelabi revealed.

In a separate operation, police raided the hideout of armed hoodlums believed to be members of the Eiye confraternity, led by a notorious figure identified as ‘Gafari’.

Though the suspects fled on sighting security operatives, weapons were recovered from the scene.

“Items recovered include a cut-to-size single barrel gun, a cut-to-size double barrel gun, five sharp cutlasses, one axe, and three live cartridges,” Ojelabi stated.

Commissioner Gotan urged youths to stay away from cultism, warning that the law would take its course against offenders.

“Our message to students is clear: focus on your education, because cultism only leads to destruction. No one caught will be spared,” he warned.

Ojelabi confirmed that all arrested suspects would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.