Six men suspected of involvement in cult activities have been arrested by the Osun State Police Command during security operations targeting criminal hideouts in Osogbo.
The suspects were picked up during raids on locations identified by police as criminal hotspots across the state capital.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi, who confirmed the arrests in a statement on Tuesday, said preliminary findings linked the suspects to the Eiye Confraternity and a group allegedly involved in intimidating residents around Mackay Junction.
Items recovered during the operations included suspected charms, illegal drugs and cash believed to be connected to drug transactions.
The statement read, “The Osun State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following targeted, intelligence-led raids on identified black spots and criminal hideouts across Osogbo, in compliance with the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan Zungura.
“During the operations, some suspected cultists were arrested. They are: Ajibade Lateef, 21, Olaniyi Kabiru, 27, Ifaleke Ifedeji, 18, Tajudeen Wasiu, 35, Abideen Babatunde, 35, and Opeyemi Lukman, 18.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are allegedly members of the Eiye Confraternity and are suspected to be part of a notorious criminal gang responsible for terrorising residents and members of the public around the Mackay Junction area of Osogbo.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan Zungura, urged residents, parents, landlords and community leaders to help security agencies identify suspicious behaviour and report suspected criminal activities.
He also cautioned young people against joining cult groups, abusing drugs or associating with criminal gangs, warning that such decisions could have serious consequences.
The command said the raids would be extended to other areas as part of efforts to curb criminal activities and improve public safety.
The statement added, “The raids will continue across identified black spots and criminal hideouts until criminal elements are flushed out and lasting peace and security are sustained in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State.
“The command remains committed to protecting lives and property and urges members of the public to cooperate with the police in the collective fight against crime.”
The arrests follow growing concerns about cult-related violence in Osogbo.
Police had earlier confirmed the deaths of two people following an alleged clash between rival cult groups in the state capital.
The incident reportedly occurred at a lounge in Owoeba, along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road, where the victims were attacked by unidentified assailants.
