Osun Police Arrest 14 Suspects In Crackdown On Criminal Hideouts, Cult Clashes

The Osun State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects over alleged criminal activities, including extortion, thuggery, illicit drug-related activities and cult violence, in separate operations across the state.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement made available in Osogbo.

According to him, police operatives initially arrested 37 individuals during a coordinated raid on identified black spots and suspected criminal hideouts in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said the suspects were subjected to profiling and screening, after which 23 were released unconditionally, while 12 were retained for further investigation.

The 12 suspects were identified as Oluranti Fatai, 40; Suraju Adebayo, 45; Okunola Sodiq, 27; Ibrahim Sodiq, 35; Ganiyu Sikiru, 28; Moshood Adeleke, 40; Kayoye Oguntayo, 22; Alaudeen Samad, 22; Ridwan Adegbola, 27; Busari Hammad, 30; Abiodun Fiyiola, 29; and Adeleke Olawale, 28.

Ojelabi said the arrests followed a coordinated raid conducted on October 25, 2026, at suspected criminal hideouts in Ode-Oga, Gbonmi, Popo, Isale-Aro, Oja-Oba, Allie and Orisunmibare.

He said preliminary interrogation and findings reportedly linked the suspects to alleged criminal activities, including extortion, thuggery, illicit drug-related activities and conduct capable of causing fear and panic among residents.

The police spokesman added that the suspects had been charged before a competent court.

In a separate operation, the command arrested two other suspects, Salaudeen Mujib, 30, and Olaposi Afeez, 22, in connection with a violent cult-related clash at Laoye Street in Ede North Local Government Area.

Ojelabi said the incident occurred on October 19, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m., following a distress call reporting that suspected cultists were attacking one another and firing sporadically.

He said police detectives who responded to the call were allegedly ambushed by armed suspected cultists, who opened fire on the team.

Despite the attack, the operatives arrested Mujib, who was allegedly found in possession of a locally made cut-to-size firearm. He sustained a minor gunshot injury to his right thigh and received medical attention.

According to the police spokesman, Mujib reportedly confessed during interrogation to being a member of the Aye cult group.

Ojelabi added that a subsequent search of the cordoned-off area led to the arrest of Afeez.

A locally made cut-to-size firearm was recovered from Mujib, while a yellow battle axe and local charms were reportedly recovered from Afeez.

The police said Afeez allegedly confessed to membership of the Aye and Eiye confraternities, respectively.

The Command reiterated its commitment to tackling criminal activities and maintaining peace and security across Osun State.