Police Apprehend Suspected Ritualists, Cultists In Osun

The Police Command in Osun says it has detained eight suspects for prosecution over the alleged mutilation of a 16-year-old boy’s scrotum in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, made this known in a statement on Monday in Osogbo.

Ojelabi said three of the suspects, who reside in Apomu, had on July 26, at about 4 p.m., gone to Arademi Area, Ikire, to cultivate a farmland.

He said after cutting the grass, two of the suspects lured their victim to a remote bush and cut his abdomen open in a bid to remove some vital organs in his body.

“They, however, removed his scrotum and ran away when the victim raised an alarm.

“The police, when contacted, immediately moved to the scene, took the victim to a hospital for medical attention, and later referred him to the University College Hospital,” he said.

He said subsequent investigation led to the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the incident.

According to Ojelabi, two suspected cult members, alleged to operate at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, were arrested on July 30 at about 11:45 a.m. in front of the school campus.

He added that other arrests in July included a suspect who robbed someone of an iPhone 11 at Oke Baale, Osogbo, and another found with a cut-to-size gun after his motorcycle was stopped at Sedona, Ede.

Ojelabi further said a suspect who stole a motorcycle at a mosque was also apprehended, noting that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.