By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Osun State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with separate cases of armed robbery, attempted murder, and cult-related violence in Ile-Ife and Iree.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism units carried out the arrests between August 16 and September 9, 2025.
Police said the first case involved two commercial motorcycle riders who were lured by a suspect, Johnson Olagoke, 23, into a school premises in Ile-Ife on two separate occasions. On August 16, Olagoke allegedly engaged one rider and led him to the school, where accomplices were waiting. The victim was beaten unconscious with a stick, before his motorcycle, ₦17,850 in cash, a Tecno phone, and a handbag were stolen.
Two days later, on August 18, police said Olagoke struck again. He reportedly defrauded another rider of ₦5,000 and later hit him from behind with a stick until he passed out. His motorcycle, cash of ₦10,650, and a Tecno Spark 9F phone were also stolen.
Acting on intelligence, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping unit tracked down Olagoke, recovering two motorcycles believed to have been stolen during the attacks. Police said he is cooperating with investigators to apprehend accomplices still at large.
In a separate operation, the Anti-Cultism unit moved in after receiving reports of a violent clash at a higher institution in Iree on September 8. Suspected cultists, believed to be members of the Buccaneers confraternity and other rival groups, reportedly exchanged gunfire on campus, leaving two students injured. The victims are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Three suspects – Oluwadamilare Temitope, 23; Ayodeji John, 24; and Adepoju Adesoji, 27 – were arrested at the scene. Police said a follow-up operation on September 9 led to the arrest of three more men: Yusuf Abeeb, 24; Fatai Quadri, 24; and Lateef Abiodun, 23.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan commended the swift response of his officers, assuring residents that security operatives would continue to clamp down on criminals threatening peace in the state.
All suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court, the statement added.
