Osogbo: Police Bust Gang Allegedly Extorting UNIOSUN Students

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Osun State Police Command has busted a suspected gang allegedly terrorising students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and other residents around Oke-Baale, Osogbo.

Three suspects — Abass Quadri, 26; Olanrewaju Joshua, 24; and Yusuf Taiwo, 25 — were arrested during a police raid on a suspected criminal hideout in the area.

The arrest, according to the command, followed complaints from UNIOSUN students over alleged incessant attacks and harassment along routes leading to and from the institution.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects were arrested on September 9, 2026, during a patrol and raid operation carried out by police operatives.

Ojelabi alleged that the suspects had devised a method of stopping students on their routes, threatening them and forcefully collecting their mobile phones.

The police spokesperson further alleged that the suspects sometimes compelled their victims to transfer money to them before allowing them to leave.

The development had reportedly caused concern among students who use the affected routes around Oke-Baale and its environs.

According to the command, the operation was launched after complaints were received from students regarding the activities of suspected criminals and thugs operating in the area.

The three suspects have been charged to court, while the police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other persons allegedly linked to the criminal activities.

The command assured residents of continued security operations, including patrols and raids of suspected criminal hideouts, to prevent further attacks and other forms of criminality.

The command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or threats to the nearest police station.