Cult Groups Clash In Ijebu-Ode

At least three persons have been killed by suspected cult groups in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.

Following the attck, yesterday Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun this morning promised the people of the state that he will flush out the cultists and their masters from the state.

Amosun has therefore ordered the arrest of Alhaji Yekini Bashiru a.k.a. Aweda and Oshinowo, a.k.a. Oto. Aweda is a member of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, while Oshinowo is of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.

The order for their arrest followed yesterday’s attack by a cult group known as Eiye that struck at Ijebu-Ode and killed three persons at Epe Motor Park, Ijebu-Ode.

One of the victims was identified as Ebony, a member of NURTW. He was killed at Epe Motor Park, Ijebu-Ode about 11 a.m yesterday. The two other victims who are yet to be identified were killed along Omowo Road, Ijebu-Ode.

All the three deceased persons were alleged to be members of Aiye cult group and were working for Aweda.

P.M.NEWS gathered that after Aweda was released by the police on Sunday, he stormed the Epe motor park in his new N12 million Murano SUV along with his supporters and started shooting indiscriminately.

After the incident, Governor Amosun visited Ijebu-Ode this morning and addressed both members of the NURTW and RTEAN at Epe Motor Park, Ijebu-Ode. He warned them that the era of causing mayhem had gone.

Amosun said he was ready to order the arrest of any trouble maker who may be causing unrest in Ijebu-Ode.

The governor then ordered the arrest of the suspected leaders of the cult groups who initiated the killings.

Some of the transport union operators who spoke with P.M.NEWS on condition of anonymity said drivers in Ijebu-Ode know that Aweda and Efele were behind the breakdown of law and order in the area and Ijebu-Ode might not know peace except they were arrested.

They alleged that the cultists had smuggled into Ijebu-Ode, a lorry-load of arms and ammunition with which they intended to cause mayhem during the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.

Since Ijebu-Ode is the centre of festivities during Ileya festival, the drivers called on security agents to ensure peace reigns in the town during and after the festival.

—Abiodun Onafuye/ Ijebu-Ode