The Osun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected notorious cultists and political thugs in separate operations across the state, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain public safety.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Osogbo.
According to the statement, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit arrested one Abiola Osobu Michael, popularly known as “Small,” on June 17, 2026, following intelligence reports that he was terrorising residents of the Iloro community in Ilesa.
The suspect, aged 30, was apprehended during a swift police operation and reportedly confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
In a related development, police operatives launched another operation in the early hours of June 19 after receiving information that suspected cultists were terrorising residents at the Sasa area of Osogbo.
The operation led to the arrest of seven additional suspects identified as Afolabi Samson, also known as “Elesi,” 29; Ojute Imoleayo, 28; Jimoh Olayinka, 48; Olwasesin Niyi, 40; Robin Akeem, 19; Robin Selim, 19; and Nurudeen Kafayat, 39.
Items recovered from the suspects include an axe, one live cartridge, a blue face cap bearing the Eiye Confraternity logo, and six other face caps.
The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects linked to the criminal activities, adding that all arrested suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Gotan, urged parents and guardians to monitor their wards and discourage them from engaging in cult-related activities.
He also advised young people to embrace lawful and productive ventures capable of contributing positively to society.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against cultism, violent crime and other forms of criminality across the state.
