Police Arrest Five Over Osun Church Attack

Osun State Police have arrested five suspects over an attack on a Methodist Church in the Fiwasaye area of Osogbo.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, Police arrested the suspects at the scene on Sunday.

Ojelabi said the suspects damaged a vehicle parked on the church premises and broke several louvre windows.

A red Yamaha motorcycle was recovered from the scene.

Police identified the suspects as Tajudeen Hassan, Adewale Yusuf, Kabiru Abdulsalam, Olanrewaju Abiodun and Adewale Mujidat.

Police said the incident began after youths playing football on a vacant plot beside the church kicked a ball into the church premises.

The ball reportedly broke a louvre window at about 10:40 am on September 20.

According to police, the youths then threw stones into the church premises, causing further damage to windows and the rear glass of a Mitsubishi vehicle belonging to a church member.

Police operatives from Iludun Division responded to a distress call and arrested the suspects.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura ordered a professional investigation in line with the law.

He also urged residents, especially youths, to remain calm and avoid actions that could turn minor disputes into violence or property damage.

Police said appropriate legal action would follow the investigation’s outcome.

Meanwhile, the command had earlier warned against a planned protest allegedly linked to a group called the “Congress of Cultists”.

Police said intelligence linked the group to the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.

The command described the group as faceless and warned against actions that could disrupt public peace or lead to criminal activity.