Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
OSUN, Nigeria – The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspected notorious cultists and political thugs and recovered a cache of firearms, ammunition, charms and other dangerous weapons during a coordinated intelligence-led operation. The suspects were identified as 27-year-old Adekola Olayinka Abdulazeez, 28-year-old Omolara Ezekiel, and 32-year-old Babatunde Azeez. The breakthrough followed a sustained crackdown on violent crimes ahead of the August 15 governorship election, which has been marred by political tensions and thuggery in the South‑West state.
The operation began on May 22, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m., when a patrol team attached to the Ikirun Area Command intercepted Abdulazeez while he was riding an unregistered motorcycle. During a routine stop‑and‑search, officers allegedly recovered two English Beretta pistols, an axe and charms from him. Police later said the case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where detectives from the Anti‑Robbery Section took over further investigations.
During interrogation, Abdulazeez allegedly confessed that he was a member of the Eiye Confraternity and that he was on his way to deliver the recovered arms and ammunition to another member, identified as Ezekiel, before his arrest. Acting on that intelligence, police operatives tracked down and arrested Ezekiel and Babatunde Azeez. Further searches on the suspects led to the recovery of a cut‑to‑size gun and another Beretta pistol loaded with one live round of ammunition. Searches conducted at the suspects’ residences and surrounding premises also uncovered four cutlasses, two axes and two live cartridges, police said.
The full list of items recovered from the three suspects includes three English Beretta pistols, one live round of 7.62mm ammunition, one locally fabricated cut‑to‑size gun, two live cartridges, four cutlasses and three axes. Police spokespersons noted that the cache of weapons underscores the threats posed by criminal gangs operating in the state.
The Osun State Police Command disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan. According to the statement, the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to ensure that Osun State remains a sanctuary for law‑abiding residents and not a safe haven for criminal elements.
The arrests come amid heightened political tensions in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party and a candidate fielded by the All Progressives Congress are set to clash. Governor Adeleke had earlier accused political thugs loyal to the APC of carrying out coordinated attacks in parts of the state, alleging that several residents were injured while some persons were feared killed. The police had previously faced criticism from the governor for what he described as the command’s inaction in arresting perpetrators of the violence.
CP Gotan warned political thugs, miscreants and other individuals who may be planning to disrupt public peace in the state to desist from such activities. He reiterated the command’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to identify and eliminate criminal elements across the state. Gotan commended officers of the Anti‑Robbery Unit for their swift response and professionalism.
The police said investigations are continuing, while efforts are underway to apprehend other suspected members linked to the group. All suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation. The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
As the August 15 poll draws closer, the arrest of the three suspects and the recovery of an armoury of firearms and ammunition are seen as a significant blow to criminal networks that have thrived on the back of electoral violence.
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