Six suspected cultists and a thief have been arrested by the Osun State Police Command during separate operations in Osogbo, the state capital.
Following the development, Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has urged the victims of phone theft during the recently concluded Osun Osogbo festival to reach out to the Command through the Public Police Relations Officer DSP Ojelabi Abiodun on 09060052947 to claim their phones.
A statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, on Monday said the suspects were arrested on Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8, 2025.
Ojelabi disclosed that the suspected cultists, believed to be members of the Aiye confraternity were arrested by operatives of the Anti-cultism Unit of the Command after they invaded the Osun Mall located in the Fakunle area of Osogbo with dangerous weapons.
The statement reads, “On 7/8/2025 at about 1230hrs, information received from member of the public reveals that some hoodlums suspected to be members of aiye confraternity invaded Osun Mall at Fakunle Area, Osogbo with dangerous weapons.
“Upon receipt of the information, Police detectives from Anti-cultism unit of the Command swung into action and apprehended six suspects namely: (1) Olaosebikan Oriyomi ‘m’ age 32yrs popularly known as “yahoo” the leader of the group, (2) Wale Adeyeye ‘m’ age 37yrs popularly known as “mafia”, (3) Olumide Olayemi ‘m’ age 33yrs, (4) Omotayo Kehinde ‘m’ age 23yrs, (5) Ajibola Damilola ‘m’ age 20yrs and (6) Yinka Oladipo ‘m’ age 18yrs.”
Gotan also advised parents and guardians to rein in their wards to shun any form of unlawful society that will jeopardise their future.
The CP gave the admonition following the arrest of a suspect, 28 year old, Taiwo Akeem, who was apprehended by the Anti-cultism Unit of the Command for stealing phones during the Osun Osogbo festival on Friday.
Exhibits recovered from the suspect includes two Samsung phones, one Infinix phone, one Vivo phone and one Tecno phone.
“Likewise, on 8/8/2025, the same Anti-cultism Unit of the Command arrested one Taiwo Akeem ‘m’ age 28yrs for stealing phones during Osun Osogbo festivities.
“Suspect confessed to the crime, the following exhibits were recovered from him: (1) Two Samsung phones, (2) one Infinix phone, (3) one Vivo phone and (4) one Techno phone,” the statement added.
Ojelabi revealed that all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
