3 Killed As Cult Groups Clash In Ijebu Ode

At least three people were killed in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria when two cult groups engage in a free-for-all.

P.M.NEWS learnt that the fracas occurred at about 7 p.m. yesterday which forced the residents to stay indoors and shops closed earlier than expected.

A popular night market called Ita Ale in Ijebu-Ode, adjacent the palace of Awujale of Ijebuland, was also closed immediately.

Investigations revealed that three unidentified men were killed and many were severely injured.

A taxi driver who ran into the melee reported that the youths involved in the crisis were armed with sophisticated weapons.

One of the victims was said to have been trailed to the spot he was killed.

According to the taxi driver, “we were at the Lagos motor park when we heard gun shots. Suddenly, we saw people running from Imepe road towards the park, so we all ran for safety.

“I drove towards Ijebu Muslim College road because I live around the area. At Karka Street junction, beside the fence of Muslim College, I  came across some of the hoodlums, about 20 of them. When I tried to reverse my cab, they saw me and ran into their vehicle and drove off. I later saw the body of the boy they killed nearby. ”

The taxi driver narrated that two others were killed around Lafiaji area in Imepe road, Ijebu-Ode.

P.M.NEWS gathered that yesterday’s incident was a reprisal attack to avenge the murder of  Auto Folly on Saturday, a leader of Eiye Confraternity who was killed by boys suspected to be members of Aiye cult group.

He was killed along J4 Benin-Ore road, old toll gate, Ijebu-Ode and  was later buried in Ilese Ijebu.

It was reported that the Eiye cult members have vowed to a venge his death, which they see as a big blow to their group.

The suspected cultists stormed Gbelegbuwa Street, Awujale Street, Sabo junction, and Folagbade Street, Ijebu-Ode shooting sporadically to scare people.

As at the time of filing this report, normalcy has not returned to the affected areas as homes and shops remained closed.

—Biodun Onafuye/Ijebu-Ode