The Osun State Police Command has arrested suspected notorious gangs terrorising communities across the state.
They were apprehended for various serious crimes, including armed robbery, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, conspiracy, theft, and attempted ritual killing.
According to The Hope, the operations were carried out under the strategic direction of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, and in collaboration with the public.
Reports said that on July 26, 2025, a suspected armed robber, Quadri Akanji, 26, was arrested along the Oke-Baale Expressway in Osogbo.
Acting on a distress call from a robbery victim, the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit gave chase and apprehended the suspect, recovering an iPhone 11 and a motorcycle used in the operation.
Akanji confessed to commuting from Ibadan to carry out robberies in Osogbo.
Additionally, two suspected members of the Eiye confraternity were arrested near Osun State Polytechnic in Iree on July 30, 2025.
Michael Temiloluwa and Odunayo Joshua, both 22, confessed to being part of the cult group. Their arrest followed a tip-off from vigilant residents.
The Osun police intercepted a 25-year-old suspect, Asimi Waliu, on July 27, 2025, during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Sekona–Gbongan Road in Ede. A locally made pistol, live cartridges, and a jackknife were recovered.
Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Olabisi Tunde, from whose residence more weapons and ammunition were recovered.
Police also arrested two individuals, Olaniyi Quadri, 25, and Garba Ibrahim, 48, for stealing a motorcycle from a mosque on July 26. The stolen motorcycle, a yellow Max model with registration number JER 464 QA, was recovered in their possession.
In one of the most disturbing cases, three young men lured a 16-year-old boy, Faruq Abudu, into the bush in a bid to harvest his organs.
The suspects reportedly cut open the victim’s abdomen and removed his scrotum before fleeing the scene.
Quick police intervention saved the boy’s life, and he is currently receiving medical attention at the University College Hospital. Eight suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the crime.
Speaking on the developments, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, emphasised the command’s commitment to rooting out crime from the state.
“These arrests underscore our unwavering resolve to ensure the safety and security of Osun State. We will continue to work with the public to bring all criminal elements to justice,” Ojelabi stated.
