Osun Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Recover Coffin, Charms

The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspected cultists believed to be involved in ritual-related activities and recovered a small coffin and charms during an intelligence-led operation in Iree, as part of its intensified crackdown on violent crime across the state.

The command also announced the rescue of a kidnapped herder, the recovery of over N2.2 million ransom and the arrest of a suspected kidnapper during separate operations.

Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan said the command remained committed to combating kidnapping, cultism, ritual killings and other violent crimes through intelligence-driven policing and collaboration with residents.

According to him, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested the three suspects on July 14 following intelligence that cult groups were terrorising Iree and surrounding communities.

The suspects were identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23.

Gotan said preliminary investigations indicated that the trio were members of a cult group and were also being investigated over alleged ritual activities.

He disclosed that a small coffin and locally made charms and soaps suspected to be used for ritual purposes were recovered from the suspects.

“I have directed that a thorough and discreet investigation be conducted to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other members of the criminal network,” the commissioner said.

On the anti-kidnapping operation, Gotan said police operatives rescued a 50-year-old herdsman, Haruna Yusuf, who was abducted on July 9 from a settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road.

He said the victim was rescued unhurt during a coordinated operation carried out on July 12 after intelligence led detectives to a ransom collection point at Majeroku along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway.

According to him, the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the police team, leading to a gun battle in which one suspect, Usman Aliyu, 40, sustained gunshot injuries and was arrested, while others escaped into the forest.

“The victim was rescued unhurt and the sum of N2,217,800, being proceeds of ransom, was recovered at the scene. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping gang terrorising the area,” he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the command had arrested another suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate linked to a failed abduction attempt at Ijebu-Jesa on May 7.

He said the suspect, Buhari Mutari, was tracked and arrested in the Seyi area of Oyo State following technical analysis and actionable intelligence after the arrest of the principal suspect, Umaru Adamu, in May.

Gotan further said eight other suspects were arrested during raids on identified criminal hideouts across the state for offences including theft, unlawful possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and hooliganism.

He noted that all suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.

Reaffirming the command’s resolve to sustain its offensive against criminal elements, the police commissioner warned that perpetrators of cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and ritual killings would find no refuge in the state.

“The Osun State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements. We urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information, as public cooperation remains vital to combating crime and ensuring the safety of all residents,” he said.

He also appealed to parents, school authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to work closely with the police by reporting suspicious movements and criminal activities promptly.