The Police Command in Osun has arrested six suspected cult members during raids on criminal hideouts across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo.
Ojelabi said the arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, for officers to intensify raids on black spots and criminal hideouts across the state, particularly in Osogbo.
He said the suspects, aged between 18 and 35, were allegedly members of the Eiye Confraternity.
Preliminary investigations also revealed that the suspects allegedly belonged to a notorious criminal gang responsible for terrorising residents around Mackay Junction in Osogbo, the police spokesperson added.
He said charms, illicit drugs and cash suspected to be proceeds from drug-related activities were recovered from the suspects.
Ojelabi added that the suspects had been charged to court.
He said the command would continue to intensify intelligence gathering and tactical operations to identify, apprehend and prosecute individuals involved in cultism, drug-related offences and other criminal activities across the state.
He reiterated the commitment of the commissioner to protecting lives and property, stressing that Osun would not serve as a safe haven for cultists, drug peddlers or other criminal elements.
Ojelabi warned individuals and groups involved in criminal activities to desist immediately or face the full weight of the law.
He urged parents, guardians, community leaders, landlords and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
He also advised youths to shun cultism, illicit drugs and all forms of criminal association, warning that the consequences of criminal conduct could be severe and life-altering.
Ojelabi added that raids on identified black spots and criminal hideouts would continue until criminal elements were flushed out and lasting peace and security were sustained across the state.
