In what appears to be a retaliatory cult clash, one Azeez Olaitan was reportedly killed by suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity in the Alogi area of Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State on Sunday. This incident occurred following a previous attack on a suspected member of the Aiye Confraternity by the Eiye Confraternity on the same day.
The Ogun State Police Command mentioned that the window of amnesty extended to members of various cult groups in the state to surrender their arms and be reintegrated into society was still open.
A resident of the area, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed on Monday that the clash was a fallout of the attack. It was reported on Sunday that a yet-to-be-identified person was killed in a suspected cult clash that occurred in the Bode Olude area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area.
Investigations revealed that the victim of the Bode Olude clash was the alleged hitman of the Aiye Confraternity, who was allegedly killed by the Eiyes.
The tension in the community escalated following the clash, with motorists, pedestrians, and residents scampering for safety. A video of the incident showed the lifeless body of Azeez lying on the expressway as residents ran helter-skelter.
“I was on my way home when I saw people running helter-skelter. It was then I realized that someone had been shot in the head with his body lying lifeless. I learned that he was known as AZ and he was a member of the Eiye,” said the source.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, stressing that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the state hospital’s morgue in the Ijaiye area of the state.
She said, “A distress call was received from a member of the public on April 21, 2024, who rushed to the Divisional Police Officer after he found a corpse lying on the ground at Alogi Junction. Based on the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Obantoko Division led men to the scene and found the said corpse, who was later identified as one Azeez Olaitan age yet unknown. The corpse has been deposited at the State Mortuary Ijaye, Ogun State.”
Odutola stated that an investigation has commenced into the matter, noting that the Command is still committed to granting amnesty to any cult member who is willing to forsake their old ways and surrender their arms.
“Investigation into the incident has commenced, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation. The Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, has urged cultists to desist from the act or face the brunt as the command will not relent in fishing them out and ensuring they face justice. The window of amnesty is still open for any cultist that is willing to repent,” Odutola stated.
She urged parents to get involved in the social life of their children so that the menace of cultism can be addressed headlong. It was reported that some residents of the state raised concerns over the incessant cult clashes within the state capital in recent times.
A resident identified simply as Fatai lamented the spate of cult killings in some parts of the state. Another resident, Taiwo Ade, said, “It is important for the government to address this menace before it gets out of hand. When these guys go on a rampage, they cause residents of the state psychological stress because of the tension their actions often cause. The government should take necessary action over this menace.”
No fewer than nine persons were killed in different cult clashes that occurred in different parts of the state between January and April 2024. On January 19, it was reported that two yet-to-be-identified persons were allegedly butchered by suspected cultists in Ota town in the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state.
Similarly, on February 6, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 11 suspects over cult clashes in different parts of Abeokuta, which claimed four lives.
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