18th September, 2023
By Abiodun Lawal
Eight lives were lost in clashes between rival cult gangs in Sagamu area of Ogun State which began last Wednesday and lasted till the weekend over land transaction in the town.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu revealed this at a press conference in Abeokuta, the state capital on Monday.
He added that nine suspects were also arrested over the clashes by the cult gangs.
Alamutu said the remote cause of the clashes was the sharing of commission paid on a land transaction that took place in the town.
“A land was sold and some form of commission or settlement was paid to a cult group by the owner of the land.
” A rival cult group got to know about the payment and went after members of the other group in a bid to get a share of the commission.
“The situation degenerated into an attack and counter attack situation which started from Wednesday and continued till Sunday, leading to the death of 8 persons,” Alamutu said.
The police boss stated that nine suspects had been arrested with evidence of their involvement in the killings.
He added that two guns and some rounds of cartridges with evidence that they were recently fired, were recovered from the suspects.
The investigation, according to the Police boss, is still ongoing into the killings.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Local Government Area, Mr. Jubril Odulate, has imposed a restriction on the use of motorcycles in the area between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily as authorities battle to restore peace to the troubled town.
(NAN)