4 killed, 5 injured in Ondo cult clashes

Four people have been killed in renewed cult clashes between the members of outlawed Eiyeand Aye confraternities in Ondo community, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. It was gathered that the clashes, which occurred simultaneously on Tuesday at the popular Ife Garage, Sabo, and Christ Land in the Oka area of the community, […]

Four people have been killed in renewed cult clashes between the members of outlawed Eiyeand Aye confraternities in Ondo community, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the clashes, which occurred simultaneously on Tuesday at the popular Ife Garage, Sabo, and Christ Land in the Oka area of the community, saw attacks and reprisals from the cult groups targeting individual members.

It was learnt from multiple sources in the community that trouble started when some masked men suspected to be members of the rival group allegedly attacked the other cult group, and in the process ‘fell’ a member of the attacking group but in a retaliatory attack, the rival members launched a war killing the other cult group members on sight.

The clash is said to have resulted in injuries to five others, who were immediately rushed to the general hospital.

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The witnesses narrated that the cultists, who staged the violent attacks, shot sporadically, leaving four persons dead and five others seriously injured.

“Three members of the Ẹiyẹ confraternity were shot dead in a bloody clash that occurred at Ife Garage, while one was killed at Sabo, in front of a local shop,” one of the witnesses, who spoke in confidence, said on Wednesday over the phone.

Meanwhile, the police have raided the affected areas, especially New Garage in Ayeyemi, believed to be a stronghold of one of the cult factions, while some arrests were also made.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident over the phone on Wednesday.

He explained that some of the cult members were among those who had been on the wanted list of the state police command, adding that efforts are on to apprehend those behind the killings.

“The command can confirm the murder of four people and five injured, all of whom belong to one cult group or the other.

“I want to appeal to members of the community to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic. Security agencies are on the ground to protect lives and property.

“Desperate times require desperate actions. Anyone arrested during the raid has one or two things to do with the clash.

“Our men have acted rightly, and if any of them is found to have acted wrongly, they will face disciplinary action. But if they have done the right thing, people should commend them,” he said.

The spate of cult clashes in the Ondo community has continued to raise concerns among residents.