OSOGBO, Nigeria (FN) — Police in Osun State have arrested a 22-year-old man suspected of belonging to a cult group, after he was found in possession of two locally made pistols and six cartridges.
The suspect, identified as Ismail Damilare and known by the alias “Killer,” was apprehended Sunday evening by officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit during a patrol in the Akere area of Oke Baale, Osogbo, the state capital.
A video of Damilare in handcuffs and leg shackles circulated widely on social media, in which he admitted to carrying the weapons. He claimed the firearms were for self-defense against rival groups.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the arrest and the recovery of the weapons. He said Damilare was the only suspect detained during the operation, though others reportedly fled the scene.
“I am not aware of any affiliation with the National Union of Road Transport Workers,” Ojelabi told reporters. “But I can confirm he was arrested with two cut-to-size guns and cartridges.”
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, said the arrest followed a tip-off about armed individuals hiding in the neighborhood. Officers tracked the group to a location where Damilare was captured.
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on cult-related violence and organized crime in Osun State, which has seen a rise in clashes between rival groups in recent months.
On September 11, police arrested seven suspects in Ile-Ife and Iree for alleged armed robbery, attempted murder, and cult activity. Two motorcycles were recovered during the operation.
Earlier that same week, six suspected members of the Buccaneers confraternity were detained following a violent clash at a tertiary institution in Iree, where two students were injured in a gunfight.
Authorities say the recent arrests reflect intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks ahead of the state’s upcoming election year, amid concerns over public safety and political violence.
