Police warn cult group over planned Osun protest

The Osun State Police Command has warned individuals or groups planning to disrupt public peace to have a rethink, saying its operatives will not allow miscreants to engage in criminal activities.

The warning was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, and made available to journalists on Sunday.

The statement followed a notice of protest purportedly issued by a group which the police said was identified through intelligence as the “Congress of Cultists” and allegedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.

The command said its operatives would respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.

Advising individuals or groups with grievances or disputes to seek lawful means of resolving them, the police said no person or group should take the law into their own hands or resort to violence, self-help or reprisals.

The statement read, “The attention of the Osun State Police Command has been drawn to a notice of protest purportedly issued by a faceless group identified through intelligence as the ‘Congress of Cultists’, allegedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.

“The command is using this medium to warn any individual or group planning to cause chaos, disturb public peace or engage in any form of criminality to have a rethink.

“The police and other security agencies will not fold their hands and allow miscreants to use any opportunity to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and destroy lives and property. Our operatives will respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.”

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Giving an update on a recent killing in the state, the command said a thorough and discreet investigation had commenced into the incident.

The police said the investigation had yielded useful leads, while some suspects identified in connection with the incident were still at large.

It appealed to members of the public, particularly those with useful information about the killing, to come forward, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially.

The command vowed not to relent until all those found to be involved in the incident were arrested and brought before the appropriate authorities to face the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, also called on parents, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other responsible members of the public to prevail on youths and others in their communities not to participate in acts capable of destabilising the state.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, and to promptly report suspicious activities or movements to the nearest police station or other security agency.

“The Osun State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace and public order across the state,” the statement added.