OSUN State Police Command has arrested some suspected hoodlums and political thugs in Osogbo, the state capital.
This was made known during a press conference on Tuesday at the police headquarters, Osogbo, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, said the arrests formed part of recent operational successes recorded by the command in its efforts to maintain law and order across the state.
Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the police commissioner recalled that on Monday, July 20, 2026, a protest by a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, erupted after members alleged that their vehicles were prevented from entering a motor park by a rival faction, leading to clashes in Osogbo.
He said officers responded promptly to the disturbance and restored normalcy before another security incident was reported later the same day at Oke-Ijetu area of Osogbo.
The commissioner said a distress call received at about 5:30 p.m. indicated that a group of armed hoodlums were shooting sporadically in the area. Personnel of the Anti-Robbery and Violent Crime Response Unit were immediately deployed to the scene.
“The suspected hoodlums, believed to be members of a faction linked to one Wakili Alowonle, allegedly opened fire on the responding police team, leaving three security operatives with gunshot injuries. The injured officers, he said, are receiving treatment in hospital.”
Gotan said one suspect, identified as Adedeji Saheed Opeyemi, aged 40 years, was arrested during the operation. The suspect allegedly confessed that he was invited to the scene by one Sibi, who reportedly handed him a pump-action gun after receiving instructions from Alowonle.
“He is assisting the police with investigation for possible arrest of others at large. The exhibits recovered include six expended cartridges, four vehicles, four motorcycles, military camouflage and suspected criminal charms.”
The commissioner also disclosed that police detectives arrested two suspected political thugs, 26 years old Alawode Ridwan and 33 years old Ajibade Ahmed, following a distress call alleging that they were causing unrest around the Amadia area of Osogbo on July 16.
According to him, “the suspects were apprehended shortly after officers responded to the report. All suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigation”.
In another operation, the command disclosed that it arrested three suspects over the alleged theft of a Bajaj motorcycle stolen from a commercial rider at Osunjela area of Osogbo on July 19.
“Through intelligence-led policing, officers traced the motorcycle to Modakeke, where it was recovered about two hours after the report was made, “the statement disclosed.
The suspects were identified as 39 year old Kamarudeen Babatunde, 22 year old Lekan Usman, and an alleged receiver, 40 years old Moses Oyebade of Ondo town, Ondo State.
The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements adding that, “The public should give prompt and credible information to the Police. Also, they should be alert on what is happening around them and report any suspicious movement to the security agencies.”
