The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected cultists and political thugs in separate operations carried out in Ilesa town and Osogbo, the state capital.

The Command revealed that the arrests were part of efforts to curb criminal activities across the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, who said the arrests were made by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit following intelligence reports.

According to the statement, “the first arrest occurred on June 17, 2026, at about 6pm after police received information that a suspected notorious cultist was terrorising residents of the Iloro community in Ilesa.

“The Police patrol team from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Command swiftly moved to the area and arrested one Abiola Osobu Michael, male, aged 30 years, also known as ‘Small’.”

Police said the suspect confessed during interrogation to being a member of the Eiye confraternity. 

An axe, a live cartridge, a blue cap bearing the logo of the cult group and six other caps were recovered during the operation.

The command also stated that “on June 19, 2026, at about 1am, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit acted on intelligence that suspected cultists were terrorising members of the public in the Sasa area of Osogbo.

“Following the operation, seven additional suspects identified as 29-year-old Afolabi Samson aka Elesi, 28-year-old Ojute Imoleayo, 48-year-old Jimoh Olayinka, 40-year-old Oluwasesin Niyi, 19-year-old Robin Akeem, 19-year-old Robin Selim and a female, 39-year-old Nurudeen Kafayat were apprehended.”

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the raid, adding that the arrested persons would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.

“Effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspect(s) for prosecution. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement added.

CP Ibrahim Gotan, advised parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely and urged young people to shun cultism and engage in lawful and meaningful activities.

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Sunday, stormed the residence of former staff member of Ogun State Television (OGTV), Mrs Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as “Aunty Kitan,” and murdered her in cold blood.

DAILY POST learnt that the assailants invaded her home in the Kobape area of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, in the early hours of Sunday.

The late Oyesiku was well known in media circles, having served with Ogun State Television (OGTV) before her retirement. 

The body of her security guard was discovered within the security post, while the body of Oyesiku was found inside her apartment. 

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said, upon the information, detectives were immediately deployed to the scene, where preliminary assessment revealed signs of forced entry and disturbance.

Babaseyi noted that her vehicle was also discovered missing.

He called for calm and assured members of the public that an investigation has commenced to unravel all the circumstances surrounding their death.

He said, “The incident was reported at Owode Egba Division on Sunday, June 21, 2026, by a resident of Iyana Agodo Village, who raised alarm over suspicious activities at the residence.

“The Ogun State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of renowned broadcaster and retired Ogun State Television (OGTV) personality, Kitan Oyesiku, and her security guard. 

“Police detectives were immediately deployed to the scene, where preliminary assessment revealed signs of forced entry and disturbance.

 “During a thorough search of the premises, the corpse of the security guard was discovered within the security post, while the body of Oyesiku was later found inside her apartment. The victim’s vehicle was also observed missing from the premises.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. An intensive investigation is ongoing to unravel the facts, track down, and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act, while ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice. 

“Surveillance and intelligence-led operations have been expanded across relevant locations as part of ongoing proactive measures.”

Meanwhile, the Command commiserated with the family of the deceased, the Ogun State Television (OGTV) family, the media community, and all those affected by the tragic loss, assuring that no effort will be spared in ensuring that justice is served.

The command also urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and to provide any useful information that may assist the ongoing investigation.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command, through its sustained intelligence-led, preventive, and community-responsive policing, have arrested three suspects for various crimes in Ago-Iwoye, Mowe, and Warewa areas of the state.

The suspects are Ewebiyi Afeez, 26, a cult leader; Segun Ona Anjo, 32, an armed robbery suspect; and one Umar Sulaiman, who was involved in receiving and dismantling stolen property.

According to a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, the Command spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the coordinated actions also resulted in the disruption of a planned cult initiation exercise, the prevention of mob action against the armed robbery suspect, and the recovery of a stolen motorcycle and parts of a 10KVA generator valued at ₦650,000.

Babaseyi argued that the arrest reflects the Command’s proactive crime prevention strategy, swift response capability, and sustained efforts to deny criminal elements any operational space within the State.

Part of the statement reads, “In a decisive intelligence-led preventive operation, operatives of Mowe Division arrested Ewebiyi Afeez (26), a notorious leader of the Eiye Confraternity operating within the Mowe axis. Acting on credible intelligence, the Command uncovered plans by the cult group to carry out an initiation exercise aimed at recruiting new members and expanding its activities within the area.

“Operatives of Ago-Iwoye Division swiftly responded to a violent armed robbery incident involving a commercial motorcyclist along the Ita-Merin axis of Ago-Iwoye.

“On 16th June, 2026, the victim was attacked by two passengers he conveyed on his motorcycle. The suspects used a hammer to strike the victim on the head and body, inflicting injuries before dispossessing him of the motorcycle. The arrested suspect was identified as Segun Ona Anjo (32).

“Following a distress alert, residents pursued and apprehended one suspect. Police operatives quickly arrived at the scene, restored order, and prevented mob action against the suspect, thereby averting further breakdown of law and order.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects operate in a coordinated manner, targeting commercial motorcyclists along isolated routes using a hammer to overpower victims and dispossess them of their motorcycles.

“In another intelligence-driven breakthrough, operatives of Warewa Division arrested Umar Sulaiman, a suspect involved in the diversion and illegal disposal of a 10KVA generator valued at ₦650,000.

“The complainant reported that the generator, which was rented out for legitimate business use, was unlawfully diverted and sold at a suspiciously low price of ₦15,000.

“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, detectives traced the exhibits to Kara-Isheri, where the suspect was arrested while dismantling the equipment into parts.”

The police spokesperson noted that the stolen motorcycle, the hammer used in the attack and some parts of the generator were recovered as exhibits.

Babaseyi disclosed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing accomplices and dismantle the criminal network.

Reacting, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, warned criminal elements to stay off the state, and encouraged members of the public to continue supporting police operations by providing timely and credible information.