Police arrest 12 suspects, recover N9.5m, vehicles in Osun
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and conspiracy.
In a press statement on the X handle of the command, the police said they also recovered over N9.5 million, five vehicles, two firearms, two motorcycles, and nine phones.
According to the command, five suspected armed robbers, including a ringleader, Yemi Ariyo, attacked a motorist in Osogbo on September 5, 2025, inflicted machete cuts on him, and carted away his Toyota Avalon and phones. Following intelligence-led operations, three suspects were nabbed in Abuja, while Ariyo and one of their buyers, identified as Obanla Peter, were arrested in Osogbo. The suspects confessed to stealing several cars in the state prior to their arrest.
Recovered items from the gang include a Toyota Avalon, Toyota Venza, Lexus ES 300, an unregistered Toyota Camry, and multiple mobile phones, including an iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy, two Tecno Pro 10s, iPhone 12, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone X.
In another operation, detectives arrested three suspected cultists in separate raids in Ilesa and Osogbo. The suspects include Jackson Enwerem, 32, found in possession of a locally made Makarov pistol; Ridwan Alowode, 26, popularly known as “Rando”; and Ademiju Oludare, 28, also called “04.” They were said to be members of the Alora/Vankins and Aiye confraternities. Items recovered from them included one locally made Makarov pistol with an empty magazine.
The police also arrested one Adedeji Ibrahim, 28, for robbery, kidnapping, and impersonation at Oke-Ola, Apomu. The sum of N9.5 million was recovered from him, of which N8.1 million was traced to his bank. A search of his residence led to the recovery of an unlicensed single-barrel gun, a long sword, military camouflage, a face mask, two motorcycles, one iPhone, one Itel phone, and a red Golf car.
Similarly, four suspects — Lamidi Dada, 35; Lamidi Wasiu, 21; Adeleke Jamiu, 29; and Yunusa Sodiq, 34 — were arrested for conspiracy and stealing a TVS motorcycle valued at N1.3 million in Ibadan. The police said the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that Sodiq acted as the receiver while Jamiu served as an accomplice. Efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen motorcycle and arrest the final buyer.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents of Osun State that all suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies in the fight against crime.
