No fewer than two undergraduates of a higher institution of learning in Iree town of Osun State have been hospitalized after they sustained injuries in a violent clash that erupted on the campus.

It was gathered that the attackers, suspected to be cultists, invaded the school on September 8, 2025, and exchanged gunshots.

Confirming the clash in a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, said six suspects had been arrested in connection with the fracas, while the injured students are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Ojelabi said, in another development, police operatives in the state arrested a robbery suspect for allegedly conniving with other fleeing men to attack commercial motorcycle riders in Ile-Ife town and dispossess the victims of their bikes, money, and other belongings at night.

He gave the names of the total arrested suspects in the two operations as Johnson Olagoke, aged 23, Oluwadamilare Temitope, 23, Ayodeji John, 24, Adepoju Adesoji, 27, Yusuf Abeeb, 24, Fatai Quadri, 24, and Lateef Abiodun, aged 23.

The police image maker disclosed that exhibits recovered included one Boxer motorcycle with registration number REG KJA 543 and another Boxer motorcycle with number plate BDG 556 QN.

Giving a brief about the armed robbery and attempted murder, Ojelabi said, “On 16th August, 2025, and 18th August, 2025, respectively, the complainants who happened to be commercial motorcycle riders reported at ‘C’ Division Ile-Ife that they were attacked and the case referred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for discreet investigation.

“The 1st complainant stated that, on 16th August, 2025, at about 2000hrs, the suspect, one Johnson Olagoke, engaged his service that he should convey him to a school in Ile-Ife where he left his bag, unknown to him that two of his gang were on standby inside the school waiting for him. Immediately he arrived inside the school, he was hit with a big stick continuously until he became unconscious and consequently, they carted away his motorcycle, cash sum of N17,850, one Techno phone, and a handbag.

“In the same vein, on 18th August, 2025, the same suspect engaged the 2nd complainant (victim) and fraudulently obtained N5,000 from him and assured him to wait in front of the same school and, having turned back, the suspect hit the victim on the head from behind until he lost consciousness, and his motorcycle, a bag containing one Techno phone Spark 9F, and cash sum of N10,650 were carted away. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command swiftly swung into action; through intelligence-led operation, arrested the suspect and recovered two motorcycles. The suspect has been helping with relevant information to arrest others at large.”

For the cult attack, the PPRO stated, “In another development, on 8th September, 2025, the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Command, while on township patrol at Iree, received information that some armed hoodlums suspected to be cultists, later known to be members of Buccaneers confraternity and another cult group, invaded one higher institution in the state, attacked themselves by exchanging gunshots inside the school and, in the process, two students were injured and are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. In compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips, directives, the team swiftly moved to the scene and arrested three suspects: one Oluwadamilare Temitope, Ayodeji John, and Adepoju Adesoji.

“Also, on 9th September, 2025, in continuation of the operation, a coordinated and assiduous investigation was carried out; additional three suspects, one Yusuf Abeeb, Fatai Quadri, and Lateef Abiodun, were apprehended in connection with the fracas. All suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigation.” (The Guardian)

Update news