One killed in Ogun cult clash

The recurring cult clashes in the Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State have escalated once more, leaving one yet-to-be-identified person dead over the weekend.

This is coming barely two weeks after about four persons were feared killed in twin cult clashes in the Alogi, Somorin and Obantoko areas of the local government area.

On Saturday night, a renewed cult clash that occurred opposite a fuel station in the Camp area left one person dead.

Our correspondent learnt from a community source who pleaded anonymity on Monday that the victim was attacked while riding on a motorcycle in the area.

The eyewitness noted that some armed men had attacked the victim in a combat manner, shot him dead and left him in a pool of his blood.

The source said, “They attacked someone on Saturday night at Odeda. He was killed in front of a fuel station. Some people said he was an Aye member and that the Eiye cultists were responsible for the attack.

“He was shot and left dead in a pool of his blood. It was the police that came to restore calm in the area because of the tension that followed the incident.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, proved abortive as she had yet to respond to messages sent to her line as of the time of filling this report.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer in the area who was privy to the incident confirmed the attack to our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Monday.

“Yes, it happened opposite the Dambod fuel station,” the police officer said in a terse response.

PUNCH Metro reported on March 18 that clashes which occurred simultaneously in the Alogi, Obantoko and Aregbe areas of Odeda Local Government led to attacks and reprisals from the outlawed Eiye and Aye groups targeting individual members.

Our correspondent learnt from multiple eyewitnesses that the clashes occurred when some members of the Eiye group attacked and killed another member of the Aye group, and in a retaliatory attack, the Aye members also attacked the Eiye group, killing a member of the group.

At least four people were reported dead in the clashes.