An unidentified individual was reportedly killed in a suspected clash between rival cult groups in the Bode Olude area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Sunday.
PUNCH Online found out from a local resident who requested to remain anonymous that a group of young men were seen chasing each other in the area around noon on the mentioned date. This caused concern among the residents due to the suspicion of a potential conflict.
The source revealed that after some time, the residents discovered that the group of boys were suspected cult members who allegedly killed the young man they were pursuing by hitting him on the head with a stone.
The source mentioned, “We witnessed a group of boys chasing a young man. Initially, we thought it was a simple misunderstanding that often occurs among youth in the area.
“Later on, we learned that they had killed the person they were chasing in what was believed to be a clash between rival cults. When I arrived at the scene, I saw the lifeless body of the man who was struck on the head with a stone.
“Some individuals claimed they shot at him, but he was not affected by the gunshot, which led them to resort to hitting him on the head with a stone.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, when contacted, confirmed the incident and added that the victim's body was taken to the State Hospital’s morgue in the Ijaiye area of the state.
She stated, “At around 1300hrs, the DPO received information from the public that an unknown man was being pursued by a group of thugs suspected to be cultists. He was chased to the Dopamu backstreet via Bode Olude to Miliki intersection down to Elega.
“A police team led by DPO Adatan and DPO Elega visited the scene and found the lifeless body of a young man in a pool of blood, with his head injured by a stone. The police promptly intervened and moved his body to the Ijaiye Hospital mortuary.”
She added that the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, had ordered an investigation into the incident and a manhunt had been initiated for the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, has instructed a thorough investigation be conducted on the incident and the culprits be brought to justice.
“The CP assures residents of the state that the Command will continue to diligently work to bring those intending to disrupt the peace of the state to justice,” Odutola stated.
Meanwhile, some residents of the state have expressed worries about the frequent clashes between cult groups in the state capital recently.
A resident known as Fatai lamented the increase in cult-related killings in certain parts of the state.
He mentioned, “The escalation of killings among these cult members is becoming concerning and needs to be addressed to prevent innocent citizens from suffering.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun should take decisive actions to address the problem of cult clashes in the state.”
Another resident, Taiwo Ade, commented, “It is crucial for the government to tackle this problem before it escalates. When these individuals go on a rampage, they cause psychological stress to the state's residents due to the tension their actions create. The government should take necessary measures to address this problem.”
PUNCH Online mentions that at least nine individuals were killed in various clashes between rival cults in different areas of the state from January to April 2024.
It was reported on January 19 that two unidentified individuals were allegedly killed by suspected cult members in Ota town in the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state.
Likewise, on February 6, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the detention of 11 suspects in connection with cult clashes in different parts of Abeokuta, resulting in the deaths of four people.
In March, it was reported that Sanni Ibrahim and Azeez Bada were brutally murdered during a clash between rival cult groups in the Igbesa area of Ogun State.
Meanwhile, in April, a suspected cult clash in the Ijeun Titun area of Abeokuta resulted in the death of an individual identified as Tescom.
