The Osun State Police Command has arrested 12 suspected members of a notorious cult group and recovered three firearms, two vehicles, and other exhibits during a series of coordinated operations across the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, noting that the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit under the directive of the state’s commissioner of police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
Ojelabi said the operation was part of renewed efforts to curb cultism and violent crimes across Osun State.
Arrests follow multiple distress calls and intelligence reports
According to the police, the clampdown followed multiple distress calls and intelligence reports linking the suspects to violent attacks and extortion in Iree, Iragbiji, and Osogbo between October 13 and 19, 2025.
“On October 13, 2025, around 5 p.m., some armed hoodlums suspected to be cult members invaded Kajogbola area, Iree, wielding cutlasses and other dangerous weapons while demanding money from residents,” the statement said.
During the attack, the suspects reportedly assaulted a pharmacist, inflicting machete wounds on his head. Police operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit and Iree Division responded swiftly and arrested five suspects at the scene.
More suspects arrested in hotel raid
“The suspects confessed to being members of the Eiye confraternity,” Ojelabi added, noting that a follow-up investigation led to the arrest of four additional suspects in a hotel in Iree.
In a related operation on October 14, two more suspects were intercepted by vigilante members at Oja-Oba Market Square, Iragbiji, while attempting to flee from Iree.
A search conducted on them led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, a live cartridge, and an axe. The suspects later confessed to being members of the Eiye confraternity who fled the area following police pressure.
Notorious cultist “Killer” arrested in Osogbo
Further investigation led to the arrest of 22-year-old Kilako Ismail Damilare, popularly known as Killer, in the Oke-Baale area of Osogbo on October 19. He was found with firearms and criminal charms.
Items recovered from the suspects include:
- Two Toyota Camry cars (Registration Nos: KJA 210 JM and GGE 961 JA)
- A black unregistered motorcycle
- Three locally made pistols
- Seven live cartridges
- An axe
- Several charms
Suspects to face prosecution
SP Ojelabi confirmed that all 12 suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
He assured residents that the Command remains committed to sustaining its crackdown on cultism, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in the state.
