Gunfire erupted on the campus of Osun State Polytechnic in Iree, Nigeria, leaving two students wounded and sparking a swift police crackdown that netted six suspects. The violent clash between rival cult groups has once again exposed the deadly grip of secret societies on Nigerian higher education.
The Campus Shootout: What Unfolded on September 8
The confrontation ignited on September 8, 2025, when members of the Buccaneers confraternity clashed with rival cultists inside the school premises. Armed with guns, the groups exchanged fire, sending students fleeing for cover and disrupting normal academic life. Two innocent students caught in the chaos suffered gunshot wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as bullets flew near lecture halls and hostels. The Osun State Police Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit, on routine patrol, received a tip about the shootout and raced to the scene. Their rapid response prevented further casualties, but the incident highlighted ongoing security vulnerabilities at the polytechnic.
Swift Police Action: Arrests and Investigation Details
Officers arrested three suspects on the spot: Oluwadamilare Temitope, 23; Ayodeji John, 24; and Adepoju Adesoji, 27. A follow-up operation on September 9 nabbed three more: Yusuf Abeeb, 24; Fatai Quadri, 24; and Lateef Abiodun, 23. All six face charges related to cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and attempted murder.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan directed the crackdown, emphasizing zero tolerance for campus violence. Police spokesperson SP Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the suspects are in custody, with investigations ongoing to uncover deeper networks. No weapons were recovered at the scene, but forensics teams are analyzing evidence from the injured students.
Background: Cultism’s Shadow Over Nigerian Campuses
Secret cults like the Buccaneers, Black Axe, and Eiye have plagued Nigerian universities and polytechnics for decades, often rooted in power struggles, initiation rites, and territorial disputes. Osun State Polytechnic, located in the Boripe Local Government Area, has seen repeated flare-ups, including a deadly April 2025 clash that killed one and injured four near the school gate.
Nationwide, cult violence claimed 1,686 lives between 2020 and 2025, with Osun recording about 55 deaths in that period. Experts link the surge to economic hardship, youth unemployment, and weak enforcement of anti-cult laws. Despite bans, these groups persist, using campuses as recruitment grounds.
Public Outcry and Expert Warnings
Social media erupted with outrage, as videos of the chaos—showing students scampering amid gunfire—spread rapidly online. Parents and alumni demanded immediate school closure, echoing the April incident that forced a temporary shutdown and delayed matriculation. One viral clip captured the moment police stormed the area, sirens blaring.
Security analysts, including those from the CLEEN Foundation, decry the “normalization” of cultism in education. “Without holistic reforms—counseling, job programs, and stricter policing—these clashes will continue,” said a local expert. Student unions called for Amotekun Corps involvement to bolster campus patrols.
Ripple Effects on Education and Society in Nigeria
This clash disrupts life for thousands at Osun Poly, where over 20,000 students pursue diplomas in engineering, business, and sciences. Academic sessions grind to a halt, exams postpone, and enrollment dips amid safety fears—mirroring a 15% national drop in higher ed attendance linked to violence.
Broader impacts hit Nigeria’s youth bulge: With 70% under 30, cultism diverts talent from innovation to crime, straining an economy already battling 34% inflation. Politically, it pressures governors to fund anti-cult task forces, while culturally, it erodes trust in institutions. For families, it’s a stark reminder of the perils in sending kids to public schools.
Path to Peace: Arrests Bring Hope, But Challenges Remain
The arrest of six suspects marks a win for Osun Police, offering relief to injured students now recovering in hospital. Yet, as investigations deepen, the incident underscores the urgent need for systemic change to dismantle cult networks. Nigerian authorities must act decisively to safeguard campuses, ensuring education becomes a beacon of hope, not a battleground. Watch the video below for raw footage of the unrest.
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