By Charles Akinbode
23-year old twins, Taiwo and Kehinde Adeleke, were among seven suspects paraded on Thursday by the Osun State Police Command for alleged cultism, robbery and murder
The Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, during the suspects’ parade at the state police headquarters on Ring Road, Osogbo said the twins, and other suspects, Ojo Ayobami, Ibrahim Qudus and Ojo Oretu were arrested in Esa Oke, after allegedly killing one Abiodun Apalara during a rival cult clash.
According to the police spokesperson, “Around 2.00pm on April 27, 2023, there was a fracas among some hoodlums suspected to be cultists in Esa-Oke which led to the death of Apalara. A police team from the Special Anti-Cultism Unit quickly swung into action and subsequently arrested the leader of the gang, Qudus, and four other suspects.
“Investigation revealed that the late Abiodun Apalara was a member of Alora Confraternity also known as Buccaneer Confraternity and was killed by some armed hoodlums suspected to be members of Black Axe Confraternity also known as Aiye Confraternity led by Qudus. They will be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.”
Speaking further, Opalola said the remaining suspects, Mojeed Olanrewaju, Ahmed Jelili, Azeez Tunde and Bakare Saliu, are members of a syndicate that specialises in stealing motorcycles within the Osogbo metropolis.
She said: “Investigation revealed that the first three suspects are ex-convicts. The first suspect served his jail term in Ile-Ife Correctional Centre while the second and third suspects served their jail terms in Ilesa Correctional Centre.
“Upon their release in 2021 and 2022 respectively, they re-strategised and continued with their nefarious acts before nemesis caught up with them.
“The fourth suspect, who is a mechanic, is one of the receivers of the stolen motorcycles. After buying the stolen motorcycles, he will re-assemble them before reselling them to his unsuspecting customers.”