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Osun Police Warn Against Planned Cult-Linked Protest, Investigate Recent Killing

Published

3 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Osun Police PRO DSP Abiodun Ojelabi

Osun Police Warn Against Planned Cult-Linked Protest, Investigate Recent Killing

The Osun State Police Command has warned against a planned protest allegedly organised by a group identified as the “Congress of Cultists”, which the command said intelligence linked to the Neo-Black Movement (NBM), also known as Black Axe.

The police described the group as “faceless” and warned that anyone attempting to use the proposed protest to cause disorder, threaten lives, destroy property or disrupt public peace would face appropriate action.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Osun Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said it had received intelligence about the planned gathering and would not allow any group to exploit the situation to engage in criminal activities.

The command said its operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, would respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening public safety and security in the state.

The police did not disclose the proposed date, venue or expected number of participants. It also did not announce any arrest specifically linked to the alleged planned protest.

The command instead urged individuals and groups with grievances to use lawful channels of redress, warning against violence, reprisal attacks and self-help.

The warning over the alleged protest is a separate development from the police investigation into a recent killing in Osogbo, although both developments have heightened security concerns in the state.

In the separate incident, Adejuwon Adekunle, popularly known as “Asa”, was shot dead near a recreation centre in the Dele Yes Sir community, Osogbo, in the early hours of September 15.

According to the police, armed men arrived in the area and opened fire, during which Adekunle was shot.

He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police said preliminary findings suggested that the Osogbo killing might be cult-related, but stressed that the circumstances surrounding the incident had not been fully established.

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The identities and whereabouts of the suspected attackers were not immediately known, and the command said no arrest had been made at the time of its latest update.

Following the killing, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

The police said investigators were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and identify those responsible.

The command has appealed to residents who have credible information about the incident to assist the investigation, assuring them that information provided would be treated confidentially.

The recent Osogbo killing followed another separate violent incident in Ile-Ife, where Accord Party chieftain Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as “Emir Ajagungbade”, was shot dead at the Mayfair Motor Park.

Another corpse was subsequently recovered within the motor park, according to the authorities.

The Ile-Ife incident was reportedly linked to a dispute over leadership of the motor park, and the state government directed security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.

Governor Ademola Adeleke also ordered the immediate vacation of the affected motor parks by rival groups and announced the reintroduction of a Park Management System as part of measures to restore order.

That incident is being investigated separately from the Osogbo killing and the alleged planned cult-linked protest.

Against this backdrop, the Osun Police Command has continued to urge residents to remain vigilant and avoid activities capable of escalating tensions.

The Commissioner of Police also called on parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders to caution young people against joining cult groups or participating in activities that could threaten peace and security.

The command advised residents to report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

The police further warned suspected cult members and other criminal elements against using recent incidents as an opportunity to carry out reprisal attacks, cult violence or other criminal activities.

While the command has linked the proposed protest to an alleged cult group, it has not publicly established that the planned gathering is connected to the recent killing in Osogbo.

Similarly, the police have described the Osogbo killing only as suspected cult-related, pending the outcome of their investigation.

The distinction is important as security agencies work to establish the facts behind the separate developments.

The alleged protest concerns a warning issued by the police over a proposed gathering, while the Osogbo case concerns an ongoing criminal investigation into the death of Adekunle.

The police have urged residents not to take the law into their own hands and have appealed for cooperation as investigations continue.

For now, the command has not disclosed further details about the organisers of the alleged protest or confirmed whether the gathering will proceed.

It has, however, made clear that any gathering or activity that results in violence, destruction of property or a threat to public safety will attract security intervention.

The command said its priority remains the protection of lives and property, maintenance of public order and the investigation and prosecution of individuals found to have violated the law.

Osun Police Warn Against Planned Cult-Linked Protest, Investigate Recent Killing

Related Topics:cult killing Osun protest

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Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

Published

56 minutes ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.

The arrests were made between September 18 and October 7, 2026, as part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

In the latest operation, operatives of the Inyi Police Division responded to a distress call over an alleged armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw community in Oji River Local Government Area at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.

The operation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, while other suspects reportedly fled the scene.

Police said operatives recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.

In another operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit, attached to the Nsukka sector, arrested two suspected cult members at Umudioka community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus.

According to the police, three rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the two suspects.

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The command said the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation to belonging to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, an allegation they would have the opportunity to challenge in court.

A separate operation on September 25 resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna at an alleged criminal hideout in Amagu Mpu community, Aninri Local Government Area.

Police operatives, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, reportedly raided the location following intelligence on suspected criminal activities.

A locally made pistol was allegedly recovered from Ogbonna.

Meanwhile, operatives of the 9th Mile Police Division arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area, at about 11 p.m. on September 18.

The police said Chukwuemeka was arrested following information allegedly linking him to armed robbery activities in the area.

A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were reportedly recovered from him.

The four operations produced a total of five arrests, three firearms and six rounds of ammunition, with investigations continuing into the alleged offences and the suspects’ individual roles.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers involved and residents whose information assisted the operations.

Giwa urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police to help prevent armed robbery, cult-related violence and other security threats across the state.

The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

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Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

Published

5 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Arinze Nwogba

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N50 million bail to Arinze Nwogba, who is facing trial for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday, admitted Nwogba to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge held that the alleged offence was bailable and not a capital offence, while noting that Nwogba had indicated through his bail application that he would not abscond and would make himself available for trial.

The court, however, attached stringent conditions to the bail.

One of the sureties must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 14, while both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must reside in Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.

Each surety is required to swear an affidavit of means and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the previous two years.

The court also ordered Nwogba and the sureties to submit photocopies of their National Identification slips.

The court registrar was directed to verify the bail documents and issue a report, with the prosecution also required to participate in the verification process.

Importantly, the ruling does not mean Nwogba walks out of custody immediately. He is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected.

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The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Nwogba is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026.

The police allege that he impersonated Professor Aina by using the JAMB registrar’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller, allegedly with the intention of obtaining financial advantage.

According to the prosecution, a petition was submitted to the Inspector-General of Police over a suspected criminal operation involving the unauthorised use of the registrar’s name, photograph and telephone number to deceive members of the public.

The police alleged that the suspects also used LinkedIn and WhatsApp to approach prospective victims with purported government contracts.

In one alleged scheme, the impersonators reportedly claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution alleged that prospective beneficiaries were subsequently asked to make payments, including N900,000 described as an initial “handshake” and another N3 million purportedly for officials of the ministry.

The police said Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during investigations into the alleged impersonation.

The prosecution further alleged that Nwogba used the operational name Dr Stephen Igwe and admitted forwarding bank account details to a relative allegedly connected with the fraudulent operation.

Another alleged member of the operation, identified by the police as Nnabuife Nwekpa, is said to be at large.

Nwogba pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge and remains presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the allegations against him in court.

The bail ruling therefore allows him an opportunity to secure his release pending trial, but only after satisfying the conditions imposed by the court.

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

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NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

Published

5 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to honour the Baale of Okun Igando in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, after he intervened to save a large sea turtle from being killed by fishermen.

The development followed the rescue of the marine animal after it became entangled in a fishing net along the coastline of the community.

The fishermen reportedly initially believed they had caught a large fish. However, the situation changed after the Baale intervened and stopped attempts to kill or sell the animal.

Chief Jejelaiye urged the fishermen and other residents to release the turtle, while explaining the importance of protecting endangered and threatened marine species.

The fishermen, with the assistance of other community members, carefully freed the animal from the net and returned it alive to the Atlantic Ocean.

The rescue attracted widespread attention after footage of the incident circulated online, with many Nigerians commending the community for choosing to protect the animal rather than kill it.

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NESREA has subsequently commended the Baale and the local fishing community for their intervention, describing the rescue as an example of grassroots environmental conservation.

The agency is expected to issue a Letter of Commendation to Chief Jejelaiye in recognition of his role in preventing harm to the marine animal and promoting wildlife protection within the community.

The incident has also renewed attention to the challenges facing sea turtles in Nigeria, particularly along the Lagos coastline.

Sea turtles are exposed to several threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, destruction of nesting habitats, pollution, illegal hunting and human consumption.

Conservation efforts in the Ibeju-Lekki area have previously focused on educating fishing communities about the importance of protecting sea turtles and finding ways to reduce conflicts between conservation and fishing activities.

The latest rescue also highlights the role that traditional rulers and coastal communities can play in protecting endangered wildlife.

NESREA, which is responsible for enforcing Nigeria’s environmental laws and regulations, has continued to advocate stronger community participation in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

The rescued turtle was identified in reports as a leatherback sea turtle, one of the largest living turtle species. Leatherback turtles face serious threats globally from fishing gear, habitat loss, pollution and other human activities.

The successful release of the turtle back into the ocean has been described as a positive example of what can happen when local communities respond quickly to protect threatened wildlife.

The development is also expected to strengthen calls for greater awareness among fishermen and residents of Nigeria’s coastal communities on how to safely handle marine animals accidentally caught in fishing nets.

For Okun Igando, the intervention by the Baale has turned what could have been the death of a rare marine animal into a notable wildlife conservation success story.