By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Osun State Police Command has arrested several suspects in connection with cases of violent killings, armed robbery and burglary across the state, with four deaths recorded during a clash between rival groups in Ile-Ife.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the command headquarters, where he gave updates on major criminal cases investigated by the command.
Among the cases was the killing of four people during a violent confrontation at Alapa village, along Toro Road, Ile-Ife.
The police said the incident was linked to a dispute between rival groups allegedly fighting for control of a large cocoa farm in the area.
According to the command, a complainant from Odo Ogbe, Ile-Ife, reported the incident at the Police B Division, Modakeke, at about 8:30 a.m. on October 5, 2026.
Police investigations indicated that about 10 armed men allegedly invaded the community between October 4 and 5 and opened fire, killing 40-year-old Toyin Olagbaju.
The investigation subsequently revealed that the violence involved two rival groups allegedly led by Awosunle Tosin, who remains at large, and Emmanuel Agunbiade, also known as Abore.
Four people — Olagbaju, Agunbiade, Akeem and Ademola, also known as Small — were reportedly killed during the confrontation.
Detectives from the Homicide Section who visited the scene recovered two Dane guns, a small axe, 11 expended cartridges, one live cartridge, three empty AK-47 ammunition shells, two empty LAR rifle ammunition shells, an empty assault rifle ammunition shell and locally made charms.
The police arrested Oniyefa Olayemi in connection with the incident and said he was assisting investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects still at large and recover additional weapons allegedly used during the violence.
Six Arrested Over Robbery
In a separate case, the police announced the arrest of six suspects allegedly involved in a robbery operation in which motorcycles and mobile phones were stolen.
One of the suspects, 27-year-old Olaiya Sunday, was arrested on September 24 during a stop-and-search operation at Akinlalu, Ipetumodu, along the Ile-Ife-Ibadan Expressway.
Police said Sunday was riding an unregistered red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with another person when two robbery victims allegedly identified them as those who robbed them of an unregistered ash-coloured TVS motorcycle and three mobile phones.
The second suspect reportedly escaped.
Following the transfer of the case to the Anti-Robbery Section, the police said Sunday allegedly admitted participating in the operation with four other individuals.
Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of Agoro Kudus, Timileyin Idowu, Adekunle Ibrahim, also known as Oshodi, and Temitope Opeyemi.
Five mobile phones allegedly stolen in Osun were recovered, including an iPhone 13, iPhone 11, Infinix Smart 10, Infinix Smart 8 and an Itel Android phone.
The command also arrested 28-year-old Akintunde Mariam, described as the girlfriend of one of the suspects, over allegations that she used her National Identification Number to register SIM cards for members of the suspected robbery gang.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly operated across Osun, Oyo and Lagos states, with stolen motorcycles reportedly sold in Ibadan and mobile phones disposed of in Lagos.
Suspect Arrested Over Jumia Centre Burglary
The command also disclosed the arrest of 32-year-old Adeosun Gbenga in Ifo, Ogun State, over the alleged burglary of a Jumia collection centre.
The facility was reportedly burgled on August 22, with mobile phones and other electronic devices stolen.
Following an investigation by detectives from the Cybercrime Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo, the police said an iPhone 13, five Android phones, a tablet, two headsets, two watches and a charger were recovered.
The suspect allegedly confessed to the offence, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals believed to be connected to the burglary.
Zungura warned residents against using violence or illegal firearms to settle disputes, particularly those involving land and communal interests.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities to security agencies and resolve disputes through lawful channels rather than resorting to violence.
