Osun: Police warn cultists against planned July activities

The Osun State Police Command has warned cult groups and their members against engaging in any activity to commemorate July 7, 2026.

The warning is coming after intelligence reports of a planned cult-related celebrations across the country on Tuesday, July 7.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan on Monday, the command said intelligence indicated that some cult groups were planning to mark the date and initiate secondary school students into their ranks.

The command described the planned activities as unlawful and warned that security agencies were closely monitoring the movements of suspected cultists across the state.

According to the statement, “adequate personnel and operational assets have been deployed to strategic locations to ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the period.”

The police said “intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search duties, patrols and surveillance had been intensified to prevent any breach of public peace.

“CP Gotan had also directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Commanders of the Violent Crime Response Units to remain on high alert.”

The statement disclosed that CP Gotan had issued “marching orders to the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Commanders of Violent Crime Response Units (VCRU) to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.”

The command urged parents, guardians, school authorities and community leaders to discourage children and wards from associating with cult groups or attending gatherings linked to cult activities.

It reiterated that cultism remains a criminal offence, warning that anyone found organising, participating in or promoting cult-related activities would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also cautioned hoteliers, owners of recreation and event centres, as well as landlords and landladies, against allowing their facilities to be used for cult-related meetings or activities, warning that offenders could face prosecution.

While assuring residents that adequate security measures had been put in place, the command advised members of the public to continue their lawful activities without fear and to remain vigilant.

The police appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information on suspicious movements or activities of cultists and other criminals through its emergency line, 08039537995.