Ogun cult clashes claim four, 11 suspects arrested

The Ogun State Police Command, on Monday, confirmed that its operatives had arrested 11 suspects over the cult clashes in different parts of Abeokuta, the state capital, on Sunday which claimed four lives.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday.

Odutola said one Seun Elewode, a member of the Aye cult group, was killed during a shootout between rival cult groups in the Adeun area of Lafenwa, Abeokuta.

According to her, a suspected member of the Buccaneer Confraternity was killed in the Akinolugbade area of the town.

“One Seun Elewode, a notorious member of the Aye cult group, who just returned from prison, was attacked and shot dead at Adeun, Lafenwa in Abeokuta.

“He was shot dead during a shootout at their hideout in a cool spot during a birthday party.

“On February 4, around 10.45 p.m., in Oshungboye Crescent in Akinolugbade, a suspected cultist was shot dead, while another was shot in the chest,” Odutola said.

She added that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings.

She listed those arrested to include: Oluga Abiola, Olamilekan Abiodun, Olarenwaju Michael, Jimoh Okewole and Wasu Tolulope.

Others are: Abiodun Adeyemi, Muiz Adeyemi, Adebowale Saheed, Adebowale Ayoola, David Oviem and Adebowale Olayori.

No fewer than four persons were reportedly killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in various cult clashes in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

PUNCH Metro further gathered that the clash started on Thursday when a suspected leader of the Eiye confraternity, simply identified as Dare, was shot dead in front of his house in the Ijeja area of Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

An eyewitness who spoke to our correspondent said Dare, who was popularly known as Oloba, was shot dead on Thursday evening by suspected members of the Buccaneer Confraternity.

A police source also confirmed to our correspondent that Oloba was killed on Thursday, while another suspected cultist commonly called Tayo Alora was also murdered in the Isabo area of the state capital on Sunday morning.

A resident who does not want his name in print said Tayo must have been trailed to the point where he was gunned down.

“They must have trailed him there, but they really didn’t engage in any disagreement or fight before he was shot. This is really scary. The government should quickly rise up to this before things get out of hand again.

“This is how they always start. The police and other security agencies should please start their work immediately.”

PUNCH Metro had reported that the Ebonyi State Police Command, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of three men as a result of a cult clash in the Oriuzor community, Ezza North Local Government of the state.

Joshua Ukandu, the acting Police Public Relation Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, had said in Abakaliki that the clash was between some cult groups in the area.

According to Ukandu, there was a report of gunshots and cult members clashing on Sunday at the Oriuzor community. Unfortunately, three people were killed as a result of the incident.

“Two persons have been arrested in connection with the clash, although the situation has been put under control.”