Authorities of the Osun State Police Command have arrested suspected hoodlums, cultists and vandals in Osogbo and other areas, just as four English Beretta pistols, charms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

A statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, indicated four of the suspects were recently intercepted along the Osogbo-Ilesa road in a Toyota Camry car marked PRESIDENCY NANS 27 ZD, which was driven by one Adewale Kehinde (25).

According to Ojelabi, the other three occupants of the vehicle, who claimed to be students, are Adebayo Ayuba, 22 years old, Olasupo Abeeb, 23 years old, and Adeniyi Mustapha, 21 years old.

“The vehicle was thoroughly searched, and an English Beretta Pistol and two empty magazines that were carefully concealed in a box inside the vehicle were recovered alongside a cutlass and some criminal charms. Investigation reveals that the suspects are criminals terrorising Ilesa/ Osu and its environs,” Ojelabi said.

Similarly, the police spokesperson added that during another stop-and-search operation along the Ile-Ife/Ibadan expressway, near Osu, the command’s Swift Action Squad (SAS) arrested vandals who specialised in stealing cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

The suspects arrested with bags of stolen cables and wires tied to their motorcycle include Usman Abubakar, 25, and Bashiru Garuba, 26. Further investigation led to the recovery of seven motorcycles and two large bags containing IBEDC cables from them.

“Likewise, on 1/6/2025, the anti-cultism squad of the command received intel that some armed hoodlums suspected to be members of Eiye confraternity led by one Tajudeen Abass ‘m’ age 25yrs, popularly known as Apola, one Adeparusin Kehinde ‘m’ age 23yrs, popularly known as Kehinde Mansion and others invaded Oke-Ola area, Osogbo during Osogbo Masquerade festival.

“They killed one Awoniyi Kazeem ‘m’ age 25yrs and took to their heels. The commander of the squad and his team embarked on a fact-finding and in-depth enquiry, which led to the arrest of Adeparusin Kehinde a.k.a Kehinde Mansion and Ariyibi Dada, a 25-year-old popularly known as Enu-Ose, the suspected killers of Awoniyi Kareem.

“The following exhibits were recovered: two unregistered Qlink motorcycles and three English-made Berreta pistols. Efforts are still in progress to arrest the fleeing suspects,” the spokesperson said.