Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan orders heightened security as intelligence points to planned cult-related activities and alleged recruitment of secondary school students

The Osun State Police Command has heightened security across the state following intelligence reports that suspected cult groups are planning activities on Tuesday, July 7, a date some criminal elements allegedly observe as a “Cultist Day.”

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The warning was issued on Monday in a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who said security agencies had received intelligence indicating that cult groups might attempt to stage coordinated activities, including the alleged recruitment of secondary school students into their ranks.

The command stressed that it was closely monitoring the situation and warned that anyone found organising, participating in or promoting cult-related activities would face the full weight of the law.

“The Police Command hereby warns all cult groups and individuals against engaging in any activity to commemorate or celebrate July 7, 2026, referred to by some criminal elements as a cult-related day as the command is earnestly monitoring their activities,” the statement said.

According to the police, adequate personnel and operational assets have been deployed across the state to safeguard lives and property, while intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search duties, surveillance and routine patrols have been intensified.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said he had directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Commanders of the Violent Crime Response Units to remain on high alert and prevent any act capable of disrupting public peace.

The command also appealed to parents, guardians, school authorities and community leaders to discourage young people from associating with cult groups or attending gatherings suspected to be linked to cultism.

“Cultism remains a criminal offence, and anyone found organising, participating in, or promoting cult-related activities will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Gotan said.

The police further cautioned owners of hotels, event centres, recreational facilities and rental properties against allowing their premises to be used for cult-related meetings or activities, warning that such property owners could also face prosecution if found complicit.

Residents were urged to continue their normal daily activities while remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious movements or criminal activities to security agencies through the emergency contact provided by the command.

The warning comes against the backdrop of recurring concerns over cult-related violence in parts of Nigeria.

Security agencies have, in recent years, intensified operations against cult groups following incidents involving violent clashes, killings and the recruitment of young people, particularly in schools and tertiary institutions.

While the police said the latest alert was based on intelligence, no specific incidents or arrests linked to the alleged planned activities had been announced as of Monday evening.