The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected cultists and political thugs, and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, charms and other dangerous weapons during separate operations in the state.

The command disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.

According to the statement, “the arrests were part of ongoing efforts by the police to ensure that Osun State remains a sanctuary for law-abiding residents and not a safe haven for criminal elements.”

The police identified the suspects as 27-year-old Adekola Olayinka Abdulazeez, 28-year-old Omolara Ezekiel, and 32-year-old Babatunde Azeez.

Items recovered from the suspects, the statement revealed, included “three English Beretta pistols, one live round of ammunition, one cut-to-size gun, two live cartridges, four cutlasses and three axes.”

The police said the operation began on “May 22, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m., when a patrol team attached to the Ikirun Area Command intercepted Abdulazeez while conducting a routine stop-and-search exercise.”

According to the command, “the suspect was riding an unregistered motorcycle when he was stopped and searched by officers. During the search, two English Beretta pistols, an axe and charms were allegedly recovered from him.

“The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, where detectives attached to the Anti-Robbery Section commenced further investigations.”

Police said Abdulazeez allegedly confessed during interrogation that he was a member of the Eiye Confraternity and claimed that he was on his way to deliver the recovered arms and ammunition to another member, identified as Omolara Ezekiel, before his arrest.

The statement added that intelligence-led investigations later led to the arrest of Ezekiel and Babatunde Azeez, during which officers recovered a cut-to-size gun and another Beretta pistol loaded with one live round of ammunition.

The police further disclosed that “searches conducted at the suspects’ residences and surrounding premises resulted in the recovery of four cutlasses, two axes and two live cartridges.

“Investigations are continuing, while efforts are underway to apprehend other suspected members linked to the group.”

CP Gotan also warned political thugs, miscreants and other individuals who may be planning to disrupt public peace in the state to desist from such activities.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to identify and eliminate criminal elements across Osun State.

As part of preparations for the state’s planned mass wedding, the Kano State Hisbah Board has announced that nearly 720 prospective couples have so far undergone medical screening across 24 local government areas.

The figure forms part of the 3,000 prospective couples the state intends to marry soon in a state-sponsored mass wedding for the less privileged.

DAILY POST recalls that the Hisbah Board, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, has been mandated to conduct mandatory tests for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, genotype compatibility, drug use, pregnancy, and other sexually transmitted infections to ensure healthy unions.

The Deputy Commander-General of the Board, Mujahideen Aminudddeen, confirmed the development in a statement, saying the exercise is ongoing, with couples from metropolitan local government areas scheduled to continue their screening on Wednesday at the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) office along Naibawa.

He explained that participants are expected to present copies of their registration forms at the venue, adding that couples from the remaining local government areas will be notified of their screening dates in due course.

The mass wedding programme, revived under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is designed to support widows, divorcees, orphans, and other less-privileged residents by covering marriage expenses and providing financial and household support.

Armed bandits have abducted about six residents in a late-night attack on Rukpete Village in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, DAILY POST reports.

According to a community source, the incident occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The attackers reportedly carried out the operation quietly, initially kidnapping seven individuals.

The source disclosed that one elderly victim was later released by the assailants, while the remaining six victims were taken away.

The victims, comprising four men and two women, were abducted before security operatives could intervene.

It was further gathered that some of the abducted victims were children under the age of 14, heightening concern within the community.

The attack has created widespread fear among residents, who are now calling on government authorities and security agencies to take swift and decisive action to secure the victims’ release and prevent further incidents.

Banditry and kidnappings for ransom have continued unabated despite concerted efforts by security forces in parts of the country, particularly in rural communities and ungoverned areas.