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.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected informant for the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorist group during a routine patrol operation in Borno State.

This was made known in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Makama revealed that the suspect, Umar Isah, 37, was apprehended by troops of the 154 Task Force Battalion on June 20.

He notes that the suspect, a resident of Dawu village, was arrested during a routine morning patrol aimed at securing defensive positions and preventing terrorist activities within the battalion’s area of responsibility.

According to him, no incriminating items were recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest.

The security expert added that military authorities disclosed that the suspect would be handed over to the Military Intelligence Brigade, MIB, of Sector 2 for further investigation and necessary action.

“The arrest is part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations by Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist networks, identify collaborators and deny insurgent groups access to information and logistical support within communities across the North-East,” he said.