Osun State Police Command has warned individuals and groups against participating in a planned protest allegedly linked to a faceless group identified as the “Congress of Cultists”.
The Command, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, said the group was allegedly associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.
According to the statement, “The police became aware of a notice of protest purportedly issued by the group through intelligence available to the Command.”
The police warned that anyone planning to cause chaos, disturb public peace or engage in criminal activities during the proposed protest should reconsider such plans.
The Command said the police and other security agencies would not allow individuals described as miscreants to exploit the situation to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in Osun State.
“Our operatives will respond decisively and appropriately to any action capable of threatening the peace and security of the State,” the statement added.
The police also urged individuals and groups with grievances or disputes to seek lawful means of resolving their differences rather than resorting to violence, self-help or reprisal attacks.
Meanwhile, the Command disclosed that a thorough and discreet investigation had commenced into a recent killing incident in the state.
The police said the investigation had yielded useful leads, while some suspects identified in connection with the incident were currently at large.
The Command appealed to members of the public with useful information about the killing to come forward, assuring them that such information would be treated with the necessary confidentiality.
The Command urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant while reporting suspicious activities or movements to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Osun police boss, CP Zungura, has called on parents, community leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders to prevail on youths and others not to participate in activities capable of destabilising the state.