3 Killed As Cult Groups Clash In Ijebu Ode

A clash between cult groups in different parts of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Southwest, Nigeria has left three persons dead while several others were seriously injured.

P.M.NEWS gathered that two of the victims were killed opposite Damola Car Wash, Ondo road, Ijebu-Ode while the third corpse was found close to Wasirimi Primary School, Imepe area of Ijebu-Ode.

One of the victims hit and injured by stray bullet was a woman selling locally made herb concoction. The injured persons were taken to different hospitals within and outside Ijebu-Ode town.

According to an eyewitness, one of the deceased was simply called Wasiu, a member of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria, ACOMORAN.

He was identified as the ticketer who issued tickets to commercial motorcyclists at Lagos motor park and he was said to be a resident of Imepe, Ijebu-Ode.

A source told our correspondent that the gun trotting assailants emerged from the Lagos motor park area to attack their victims at the car wash.

“Many people ran for safety as a result of shooting by the cultists identified as members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities. We rushed inside our houses. When the dust had settled down, two persons lay dead,” our source said.

The source also claimed that the cultists were identified as stooges of the motor union members because they emerged from the motor parks.

A resident of the area who pleaded for anonymity said the information people in the area got was that the cultists were sponsored by drivers’ unions.

She said: “We learnt that the boys belong to Aweda, the popular unionist who was arrested and arraigned in court.

“We were told Aweda might secure his bail very soon since his men have been named as members of the union’s caretaker committee.”

P.M.NEWS gathered that the victims of the clash are members of Aiye cult group and they were killed to avenge the killing of an Eiye cult member known as Oosa on New Year Day.

Meanwhile, the residents have called on Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to ensure peace and order in Ijebu-ode and its environs.

The Area Commander of Igbeba Police Command, Mr. Mobolaji Odesanya, could not be reached on phone. But a police source confirmed the killings.

—Abiodun Onafuye/Ijebu-Ode