Cult Groups Clash In Ijebu-Ode, Ifo

Hell was let loose yesterday at Lagos motor park in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, when two factional cult groups clashed and disrupted both vehicular and business activities in the town.

P.M.NEWS gathered that trouble started when the Eiye Fraternity group lost one of its members popularly called Koro. He was killed at Lafiaji street in Ijebu- Ode on Wednesday by another cult group called Aiye.

It was gathered that the Eiye group came into town with mask and started shooting indiscriminately. Many people were seriously injured and a boy identified as Orija was reported to have been shot in the head and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital outside the town.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the incident caused pandemonium in the town as many schools hurriedly closed down.

“Today (yesterday) is an unforgettable day in Ijebu-Ode. I have been in this town for over 25 years and I have not witnessed such incident. Those boys came in two buses and were wearing masks. They arrived and started shooting, which caused unrest in the area. Many people were injured and they have been taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu ode.

“I heard that Orija, the boy that was shot in the head was rejected at the General Hospital and somebody told me that he has been taken to Ibadan for treatment. The boy was battered by the cult boys,” the source disclosed.

Our correspondent gathered that Orija is a supporter of the Vice- Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Yekinni Aweda, while the deceased, Koro, was a member of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). He was also an ally of Efele, one of the leaders of the RTEAN.

It was gathered that tension is still high at the Lagos motor park as members of the two unions have vowed a reprisal attack.

However, security men have been deployed to the scene of the incident to prevent break down of law and order in the town.

Similarly, it was gathered that members of both the NURTW and RTEAN disrupted activities yesterday in Ifo Local Government Council Area of Ogun State.

Our correspondent gathered that the crisis began when some loyalists of one the chairmanship aspirants of Ogun NURTW, Alhaji Akeem Bodunrin a.k.a. Iyeru- Okin, stormed various motor parks to fight with the supporters of the former chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa over the control of the parks.

It was gathered that because of the clash, students of both public and private schools in the town were not allowed to go home until 6.30pm.

Policemen have, however, been deployed to both Ijebu-Ode and Ifo to protect life and properties.

Earlier, a faction of Ogun NURTW went to court to seek an injunction to stop the election fixed for last Wednesday.

An inside source, who was at the peace meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday confided in our correspondent that the two contenders for the chairmanship post in the state have been dropped.

“I can confirm to you that neither Iyeru nor Ajuwon will run for the chairmanship post of the union. We have been informed that one of Amosun’s strong supporters, Alhaji Akeem Adeosun, popularly called Jango, has been picked for the post,” the source disclosed.

—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta