Osun Police Arrest Seven Over Robbery, Attempted Murder and Cult Violence

The Osun State Police Command has arrested seven suspects for alleged armed robbery, attempted murder, and cult-related clashes in Ile-Ife and Iree, recovering two stolen motorcycles in the process.

Police spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said 23-year-old Johnson Olagoke was apprehended for allegedly luring two commercial motorcyclists to a secondary school in Ile-Ife on separate occasions in August, where he and his accomplices attacked the victims, leaving them unconscious before stealing their motorcycles, cash, and phones.

The first incident occurred on August 16, when a rider was dispossessed of his motorcycle, ₦17,850, a Techno phone, and a handbag. Two days later, another rider was struck from behind, robbed of his motorcycle, ₦10,650, and a Techno Spark 9F. Both victims were left unconscious.

Through intelligence-led operations, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Olagoke and recovered two motorcycles. He is said to be cooperating with investigators to apprehend other accomplices still at large.

In a separate incident, police arrested six suspected cultists linked to a violent clash at a higher institution in Iree on September 8 and 9. The confrontation, reportedly between Buccaneers confraternity members and rival groups, left two students hospitalised with gunshot injuries.

Those arrested include Oluwadamilare Temitope (23), Ayodeji John (24), Adepoju Adesoji (27), Yusuf Abeeb (24), Fatai Quadri (24), and Lateef Abiodun (23). They were picked up during raids conducted by the Anti-Cultism Unit.

Police said all suspects would be charged to court after investigations. Authorities noted that cult-related violence has claimed about 55 lives in Osun State this year, highlighting the growing threat of such groups in the region.