Osun Police have arrested six suspected cultists in separate raids across Osogbo and Okuku, recovering weapons as crackdown on cultism intensifies.
The Osun State Police Command has intensified its war against cultism and violent crimes, with the arrest of six suspected cult members believed to have been behind several acts of terror in Osogbo, Okuku, and nearby towns.
The clampdown, according to the Command, is part of a renewed offensive against secret cults that continue to threaten the peace and safety of residents across the state.
Confirming the development in a statement released on Friday, August 29, 2025, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, explained that the coordinated operations were ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, who has vowed to rid Osun of cult-related activities.
The spokesperson disclosed that the first major arrest occurred on August 21, at about 6:30 p.m., during a student union week celebration at one of the higher institutions in the state.
Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the venue and arrested two notorious cultists.
The suspects, identified by their street aliases “Orife” and “Aga”, both aged 29, were found to be active members of rival cult groups.
According to their confessions, Orife belongs to the Aiye confraternity while Aga is a member of the Buccaneer confraternity, popularly referred to as Alora.
Just days earlier, on August 19, police operatives had also carried out a similar operation in Okuku Town.
The town had been plagued by cult clashes and harassment of residents, prompting credible intelligence reports from concerned community members.
Responding swiftly, detectives from the Anti-Cultism Unit raided the area and successfully apprehended four suspected cultists.
During interrogation, all four confessed to being members of the Aiye confraternity.
Their arrest, according to the police, has helped restore a sense of calm to the town.
In a separate operation, security operatives stormed hideouts in Gbeja and Oke-Baale areas of Osogbo, where members of the Eiye confraternity, allegedly led by a feared cult leader simply known as “Gafari”, had been operating.
Although the cultists managed to escape after sighting the police, the raid was not without success.
Officers recovered a cache of weapons believed to have been used for attacks and intimidation.
The items seized included: one cut-to-size single-barrel gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, three live cartridges, five sharp cutlasses, and one battle axe
DSP Ojelabi confirmed that the police are on the trail of the fleeing suspects and expressed confidence that they will soon be apprehended.
The police spokesman assured that all six arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.
He emphasised that they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, in line with the law.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, used the opportunity to send a strong warning to students, youths, and communities across Osun State.
He reminded them that cultism is a crime that destroys lives and undermines the future of young people.
Gotan urged students in particular to focus on their studies and channel their energy into education, innovation, and skills that would make them valuable members of society.
He stressed that the command would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against anyone caught engaging in cult-related activities, regardless of their social or academic background.
The Osun State Police Command also appealed to residents to continue providing timely information to law enforcement agencies, noting that community cooperation is vital in the ongoing fight against crime and insecurity in the state.