13 suspected kidnappers, others face trial in Osun

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The Osun State Police Command says it will prosecute the 13 suspects arrested for alleged kidnapping, cultism, ritual-related offences, stealing, hooliganism, and unlawful possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp during separate operations across the state.

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The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he also announced the rescue of a kidnapped herder and the recovery of N2.2m ransom.

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According to the CP, the arrests included two suspected kidnappers, three suspected cultists being investigated for alleged ritual-related activities, and eight other suspects apprehended during raids on identified black spots across the state.

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Gotan said operatives rescued 50-year-old Fulani herdsman, Haruna Yusuf, who was abducted on July 9 from a settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road.

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He explained that the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit closely monitored the ransom payment process before storming the designated collection point at Majeroku along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway on July 12.

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He noted that during the operation, one suspected kidnapper was arrested after a gun duel while the victim was rescued unharmed. The police also recovered N2,217,800, believed to be ransom proceeds.

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He added, “The team successfully rescued the victim unhurt. The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire, and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which some of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and one was arrested, while others fled.

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“The sum of N2,217,800 was recovered at the scene as proceeds of ransom. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping gang.”

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The police commissioner further disclosed that another suspected kidnapper, Buhari Mutari, was arrested in Seyin, Oyo State, through technical analysis and actionable intelligence following the foiled kidnap attempt on one Yahaya Sulaimon at Ijebu-Jesa on May 7, 2026.

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He added that police operatives also arrested three suspected cultists in Iree following intelligence that cult groups were terrorising the community.

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He noted that the suspects, identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23, are also being investigated for alleged involvement in ritual-related activities.

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The CP said operatives recovered a small coffin and locally made charms and soaps from the suspects.

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“I have directed that a thorough and discreet investigation be conducted to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other members of the criminal network,” Gotan noted.

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He added that eight other suspects were arrested during raids on black spots across the state for offences, including stealing, hooliganism, and unlawful possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

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Gotan identified the suspects as David Ayomide, Akanbi Adijat, Kareem Afeez, Ajewale Abidemi, Oladipupo Temitope, Adeleke Chalse, Chibueze David, and Abayomi Sunday.

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The commissioner assured residents that all suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, cultism, ritual killings, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across Osun State.

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PUNCH Metro reported on Wednesday that operatives of the Delta State Police Command arrested eight suspects over alleged armed robbery, cultism, and illegal firearms possession in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

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The operations also led to the recovery of four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge, and a dagger knife.

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The command’s public relations officer, Bright Edafe, had stated that the arrests were part of a sustained crackdown on armed robbery, cultism, gunrunning, and other violent crimes.

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