Police arrest two suspected cultists, recover gun, axe in Osun

The Osun State Police Command has aarrested 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 of the state.

The command also arrested 14 other suspects during a separate raid on identified black spots and suspected criminal hideouts across Osogbo.

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

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

He said the incident caused panic and posed a threat to public safety in the area, prompting the deployment of detectives to the scene.

According to him, the operatives came under attack shortly after arriving at the location.

He said, “Upon arrival, the operatives were ambushed and opened fire on by the suspected armed cultists. However, the officers responded professionally, repelled the attackers and successfully arrested one suspect found in possession of a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“The suspect sustained a minor gunshot injury on his right thigh during the incident and was immediately attended to accordingly.”

The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect confessed during interrogation to being a member of the Aye cult group.

He added that a subsequent search of the already cordoned-off crime scene led to the arrest of another suspect.

“During a search of the already cordoned-off crime scene, another suspect was arrested with a yellow battle axe and some suspected charms.

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“The suspect also confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity during interrogation,” Ojelabi stated.

He said the command was intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected cult groups and recover additional weapons in their possession.

On the separate operation in Osogbo, Ojelabi said 14 suspects were arrested during coordinated raids on identified black spots and suspected criminal hideouts.

He listed the locations as Ode-Oga, Gbonmi, Popo, Isale-Aro, Oja-Oba, Allie and Orisunmibare.

According to him, 37 persons were initially arrested during the operation, but 23 were released unconditionally after profiling.

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

“The suspects have all been charged to court,” he said.

Ojelabi reiterated the command’s commitment to combating cultism, unlawful possession of firearms and other violent crimes in the state.

He warned residents against acts capable of endangering lives and disrupting public peace, assuring them that the command would not relent in bringing perpetrators of criminal activities to justice.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the nearest police station or through established police emergency channels.