The Osun State Police Command has warned cult groups and their members against engaging in any activity to commemorate July 7, 2026.

The warning is coming after intelligence reports of a planned cult-related celebrations across the country on Tuesday, July 7.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan on Monday, the command said intelligence indicated that some cult groups were planning to mark the date and initiate secondary school students into their ranks.

The command described the planned activities as unlawful and warned that security agencies were closely monitoring the movements of suspected cultists across the state.

According to the statement, “adequate personnel and operational assets have been deployed to strategic locations to ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the period.”

The police said “intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search duties, patrols and surveillance had been intensified to prevent any breach of public peace.

“CP Gotan had also directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Commanders of the Violent Crime Response Units to remain on high alert.”

The statement disclosed that CP Gotan had issued “marching orders to the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Commanders of Violent Crime Response Units (VCRU) to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.”

The command urged parents, guardians, school authorities and community leaders to discourage children and wards from associating with cult groups or attending gatherings linked to cult activities.

It reiterated that cultism remains a criminal offence, warning that anyone found organising, participating in or promoting cult-related activities would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also cautioned hoteliers, owners of recreation and event centres, as well as landlords and landladies, against allowing their facilities to be used for cult-related meetings or activities, warning that offenders could face prosecution.

While assuring residents that adequate security measures had been put in place, the command advised members of the public to continue their lawful activities without fear and to remain vigilant.

The police appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information on suspicious movements or activities of cultists and other criminals through its emergency line, 08039537995.

A young man identified as Ahmad Dankoli was reportedly lynched and his body set ablaze by an angry mob in Balare, Ajingi Local Government Area of Kano State, after he was accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle.

The incident occurred at about 9 pm on Sunday, coinciding with the community’s weekly market day.

The councillor representing Balare Ward, Shu’aibu Abdulmumin Yalo, confirmed the incident to Arewa Updates, saying the deceased was accused of attempting to steal the motorcycle of a trader who had come to the market.

“The crowd accused him of attempting to steal a motorcycle. Although he tried to escape, they caught up with him and set him on fire,” Yalo said.

According to the councillor, security personnel responded to the scene but were overwhelmed by the large crowd and could not stop the mob attack.

“Security operatives came to intervene, but the number of people at the scene was too much for them to control,” he added.

Yalo noted that the market had witnessed several cases of motorcycle theft in recent months, a development he said may have fuelled the mob’s reaction.

The deceased was said to be a well-known social media supporter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s Kwankwasiyya movement.

The incident comes less than two weeks after another mob in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State, allegedly burnt a woman, Ummulkhairi, to death over accusations of child theft.

Authorities later said the allegation was false, sparking renewed concerns over the growing trend of jungle justice across the country.

A farmer identified as Mansir has reportedly been killed by suspected bandits while working on his farmland in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident was disclosed in a post shared on X on Monday by security analyst Bakatsine.

“This morning, bandits killed a local farmer, identified as Mansir, while he was working on his farm in Isa LGA of Sokoto State, Nigeria,” the post read.

Bakatsine said the killing has heightened fears among residents of rural communities, where many farmers continue to face security threats while trying to cultivate their land.

“If farmers can no longer safely work in their fields, who will feed the nation and when will this cycle of violence finally end?” Bakatsine added.