By Shina Abubakar
OSOGBO – The Osun State police command has disclosed that it did not arrest any suspects linked to banditry in the state, contrary to misleading videos on social media.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi on Monday, said those arrested in Osogbo and Imesi-Ile were not bandits.
According to him, on the 3rd of June, 2026, a man alleged by members of the public to be a suspected bandit was apprehended along Lameco–Oke-Fia Road, Osogbo. The suspect was immediately taken to the Osogbo Area Command, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, for investigation.
“Preliminary investigation led to the recovery of some items, including a knife, an army camouflage trouser, local charms, and clothing materials. During the course of the investigation, the suspect exhibited signs of mental instability. Consequently, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more thorough and discreet investigation”.
Upon further investigation, Ojelabi disclosed that the investigation revealed the suspect to be one Adebayo Sunday, 38, adding that members of his family later visited the command to ascertain his identity.
He adds, “Detectives also contacted a native doctor who disclosed that he had treated the suspect for a mental-related condition over ten years ago. The suspect was thereafter taken to the Police Clinic, where he was referred to a psychiatric hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment”.
The command added that the reported bandits arrested in Imesi-Ile were later discovered to be herdsmen, who have been living in the community for almost two decades.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) promptly swung into action and arrested the individuals concerned for investigation.
“Following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the case was transferred to the SCID for detailed investigation. Findings revealed that the matter was not related to banditry but rather a case of malicious damage involving farm land. The suspects identified as Abdullahi Umaru, Usman Bello, and Umaru Aliyu, who are cattle rearers residing in Imesi-Ile with their families and livestock.
“During the investigation, the Village Head was contacted and confirmed that the cattle rearers and their families had lived peacefully within the community for over twenty years. The owners of the cattle were also interviewed as part of the investigation process.
“The investigation established a prima facie case of malicious damage. However, the complainants, Fatorisa Olawale and Adeniyi Adeoye, later informed the police of their intention to amicably resolve the matter and subsequently withdrew the complaint”.
The Commissioner of Police, therefore, urged members of the public to desist from spreading unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic and tension within the state.
