Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity during intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts and identified black spots in Osogbo, the state capital, as part of efforts to tackle cultism, drug-related offences and other criminal activities.
The arrests were announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to the confraternity and a suspected criminal gang allegedly terrorising residents around Mackay Junction in Osogbo.
According to the police, officers recovered suspected criminal charms, illicit drugs and cash believed to be proceeds of illegal drug-related activities during the operations.
The command also said the suspects had been charged to court, while investigations and efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in cultism and related offences were continuing.
The arrests come amid renewed police operations against suspected cult groups in Osogbo, following reports of cult-related violence and shootings in parts of the state capital.
Six Suspects Arrested During Intelligence-Led Operations
The police identified the six suspects as Ajibade Lateef, 21; Olaniyi Kabiru, 27; Ifaleke Ifedeji, 18; Tajudeen Wasiu, 35; Abideen Babatunde, 35; and Opeyemi Lukman, 18.
The command said the arrests followed targeted operations against locations identified through intelligence gathering as possible hideouts for individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the suspects were members of the Eiye Confraternity, a group associated with cult-related violence in parts of Nigeria.
The police also alleged that the suspects were linked to a criminal gang suspected of threatening residents and other members of the public around Mackay Junction.
However, the allegations remain subject to the judicial process. The suspects’ arrest and the police allegations do not, by themselves, establish their guilt.
The court proceedings will determine the charges brought against them and whether the evidence supports a conviction.
The police have not publicly provided detailed information in the available report about the individual roles allegedly played by each suspect or the specific offences for which each person was charged.
Police Recover Suspected Charms, Drugs and Cash
According to the Osun State Police Command, items recovered during the raids included suspected criminal charms, illicit drugs and cash believed to be connected to illegal drug activities.
The command presented the recoveries as part of its efforts to disrupt suspected criminal networks operating in Osogbo.
However, the available information does not specify the quantity or type of drugs recovered, the amount of cash seized or the precise circumstances surrounding the discovery of each item.
The police have also not provided detailed forensic findings or other publicly available evidence establishing the alleged connection between the recovered items and each suspect.
Such details may become relevant during the judicial process, particularly where prosecutors rely on seized materials as evidence.
The recovery of suspected illicit substances can support further investigations into possible drug-related offences, but the nature of the substances and their evidential significance must be established through appropriate procedures.
Similarly, any items described as criminal charms should be assessed in the context of the specific allegations and evidence presented in court.
The distinction is important because law enforcement claims must be tested through established legal procedures rather than treated as final findings of guilt.
Commissioner of Police Orders Continued Crackdown
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, reiterated the command’s determination to prevent suspected criminal groups from operating freely across the state.
The police said the arrests formed part of sustained efforts to address cultism, drug-related offences and other criminal activities affecting communities in Osogbo and surrounding areas.
The command warned individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities to desist from unlawful conduct, adding that it would continue operations aimed at identifying and apprehending people suspected of threatening public safety.
According to the police, raids on identified black spots and criminal hideouts would continue as part of the wider strategy to improve security.
The command also called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information about suspicious movements and activities.
Such cooperation can help investigators identify locations requiring attention and develop leads that may support lawful arrests and prosecutions.
Nevertheless, the success of the operations will ultimately depend on whether investigations produce reliable evidence, suspects receive fair hearings and those found guilty are dealt with according to the law.
Osogbo Faces Renewed Concerns Over Cult-Related Violence
The latest arrests come against the background of reported cult-related violence in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State.
On October 5, 2026, Punch reported that Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura had directed tactical teams to intensify raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Osogbo following a shooting in the Arowomole area.
The report said a resident, Rasak Wahab, popularly known as Ojo Iku, had been shot and was receiving medical treatment.
It also reported that the shooting occurred days after suspected cult clashes in Owo-Eba Community, Osogbo, in which two people were reportedly killed.
The incidents prompted further police attention to locations considered vulnerable to cult-related violence.
Although the October 13 arrests represent a separate development, the sequence of reports highlights the security challenges facing parts of the state capital.
The incidents also demonstrate why intelligence gathering, targeted patrols and investigations into suspected criminal networks remain important components of police operations.
However, authorities must establish the facts of each incident independently. The arrests announced on October 13 should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that the six suspects were responsible for the earlier shootings or deaths.
The police have not established such a connection in the information available for this report.
Why Cultism Remains a Security Concern
Cult-related criminal activity can affect public safety in several ways, particularly when rival groups engage in violence or individuals suspected of belonging to such groups become involved in other offences.
Residents may face threats to their personal safety, while businesses and community activities can be disrupted by violence, intimidation or fear of attacks.
Where shootings or clashes occur, the consequences can extend beyond those directly involved, affecting bystanders and residents who have no connection to the groups concerned.
Sustained insecurity can also undermine confidence in local institutions and create pressure on law enforcement agencies to maintain a visible presence in affected areas.
For communities in Osogbo, the priority is to ensure that residents can move freely, operate businesses and participate in everyday activities without fear of violence.
Police raids can contribute to that objective when they are based on credible intelligence and supported by lawful investigations.
However, arrests alone do not necessarily demonstrate that a wider security problem has been resolved.
Investigators must establish the nature of the alleged criminal networks, determine whether additional suspects are involved and gather evidence capable of supporting prosecution.
The authorities must also ensure that operations respect the rights of suspects and other residents who may be affected.
A sustainable response requires a combination of effective law enforcement, reliable intelligence, community cooperation and preventive measures that discourage young people from becoming involved in criminal groups.
Police Urge Parents and Community Leaders to Cooperate
The Osun State Police Command has called on parents, guardians, community leaders, landlords and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and report credible information about suspicious movements or suspected criminal activities.
The command also advised young people to avoid cultism, illicit drugs and criminal associations, warning that involvement in unlawful activities could have serious consequences.
Community members can support security efforts by sharing relevant information through recognised police reporting channels and cooperating with investigations when necessary.
However, reports should be based on credible observations or evidence rather than rumours, personal disputes or unverified accusations.
False allegations can harm innocent people and undermine trust between communities and law enforcement agencies.
Community cooperation is most effective when residents can report concerns safely and have confidence that their information will be handled appropriately.
Parents and guardians also have a role in encouraging lawful behaviour and helping young people access constructive educational, vocational and employment opportunities.
These measures cannot replace police investigations or the enforcement of criminal law, but they can complement efforts to prevent recruitment into violent groups.
Importance of Due Process in Cultism Cases
The police announcement that the six suspects had been charged to court marks an important stage in the criminal justice process.
A charge is a formal allegation, not a conviction. The prosecution must present admissible evidence, and the court must determine whether the allegations have been proved under the applicable law.
The suspects are entitled to the protections provided by Nigerian law, including a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
This principle remains essential in cases involving allegations of cultism, drug-related offences and other crimes that attract serious public concern.
Responsible reporting must therefore distinguish between police claims, evidence presented in court and findings established through judicial proceedings.
The outcome of the case will depend on the charges filed, the evidence available and the court’s assessment of the matter.
The available report does not specify the next court date, the particular charges filed against each suspect or whether any of them have entered a plea.
Those details should be confirmed through subsequent statements or court records before further conclusions are drawn.
What Happens Next?
The Osun State Police Command says investigations and operational activities will continue to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly connected to cultism, drug-related offences and associated criminal activities.
The next developments will include the progress of the court proceedings against the six suspects and any further information the police may release about the investigation.
The prosecution will need to establish the allegations against each defendant through the appropriate legal process.
Police investigators may also pursue additional leads arising from the arrests and the materials reportedly recovered during the raids.
The command has indicated that operations targeting identified criminal hideouts and black spots will continue in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State.
For residents, the effectiveness of these measures will be judged by whether they contribute to improved safety, reduced violence and greater confidence in the ability of authorities to respond to criminal activity.
The police have urged members of the public to report credible information about suspected offences while avoiding the spread of unverified claims that could cause unnecessary alarm.
The October 13 operation represents another step in the command’s reported efforts to tackle cultism and related offences. Whether it produces lasting improvements will depend on the quality of the investigations, the outcome of the judicial process and the consistency of wider security measures.
The central issue remains public safety: residents need effective law enforcement, credible investigations and a justice system that holds offenders accountable while protecting the rights of every person accused of a crime.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Osun State Police Command — statement attributed to Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, October 13, 2026, as reported by Nigerian news outlets.
- Punch — reporting on police orders to raid suspected cult hideouts following violence in Osogbo, October 5, 2026.
- InsightLinks — reporting on the arrest of six suspected cultists in Osogbo, October 13, 2026.
