Osun Police arrest 24 suspected cultists, political thugs ahead of governorship election

The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested 24 suspected cultists and political thugs in a coordinated security operation aimed at preventing violence ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.

The arrests followed a series of intelligence-led raids conducted by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit across several locations, including Osogbo, Ilesa, Sasa and Ikirun, which security agencies have identified as flashpoints for cult-related and politically motivated violence.

Speaking on the operation, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the crackdown was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to maintain law and order and ensure a peaceful electoral process.

According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of individuals suspected of belonging to criminal groups allegedly involved in political thuggery, armed cult activities and public disturbances.

During the raids, security operatives recovered a cache of weapons and other items, including Beretta pistols, locally fabricated cut-to-size firearms, live cartridges, axes, cutlasses and suspected protective charms. Officers also recovered clothing and insignia allegedly linked to the Eiye Confraternity.

The command said the suspects are undergoing screening and interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while investigations continue to determine their individual roles in recent criminal activities across the state.

The police noted that the operation comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the governorship election, with security agencies intensifying efforts to prevent violence, voter intimidation and other threats to public safety.

Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to conducting impartial security operations before, during and after the election. He warned political actors against sponsoring or harbouring thugs, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be prosecuted.

“We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace of the state or disrupt the electoral process. Every individual found with illegal weapons or involved in cultism, political violence or related criminal activities will face the full weight of the law,” he said.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains essential to preventing election-related violence.

The police assured residents that additional security deployments and intelligence-driven operations would continue across the state in the weeks leading up to the governorship election to safeguard lives, property and the integrity of the electoral process.