From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
At least 20 persons have reportedly been killed in a renewed supremacy battle between members of Aiye and Eiye confraternity in Sagamu town, Ogun State.
It was gathered that members of the two rival groups have engaged in a killing spree in the last few days.
Daily Sun equally learnt that the town had been under siege as a result of these killings, which according to a source also claimed the lives of five secondary school students.
One of the victims identified as Azeez a.k.a Anene, a member of the Aiye confraternity was shot dead in a building along Bello Street, Sabo, Sagamu, while another one was shot in the head in the Ajaka area of the town.
It was learnt further that an SS3 student was killed at a local barber’s shop in the Sabo area of the town.
While a gospel artist, identified as Sunny Pa, a popular drummer, Elemere, was the victim of the ongoing hostilities.
Meanwhile, a source informed our correspondent on Monday, that about 15 people were killed over the weekend.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, said arresting the situation of cult clashes in Sagamu, must be wholistic.
He said, ” Most of these causing wahala in Sagamu are not Sagamites. At times, they come from Ijebu-Ode or Ago-Iwoye to strike and more. In some cases, they come as far as Edo State. It’s a problem that the whole system must tackle not only the security forces.
“I think the communities should rise up to it. They should have an urgent meeting with the heads or different quarters in Sagamu with the police and vigilance group to address the matter.
“In Sagamu, almost every young one is a cultist. Okada riders, artisans, even more than students, and I think the whole town and Remoland, in general, should take action”.
Meanwhile, police command in the state said that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing.
The command in a statement signed by its spokesperson Omolola Odutola, on Monday, added that firearms were also recovered while normalcy had been restored.
Odutola, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), however, said only four persons died during the clashes.
“On September 17th, 2023, police were in Sagamu and conducted a successful raid led by ACP Shehu Alao in collaboration with the VGN. This operation was carried out in response to a report of a clash between two rival cult groups, namely Aiye and Eiye, resulting in the death of four individuals at Ewu Iya Sunday in the Sakura area of the town.
“Upon receiving the information, the Area Commander swiftly mobilized more personnel to the scene in order to prevent the clash from escalating and to apprehend the cultists involved. As a result, seven suspected cultists were arrested, and further investigations led to the recovery of a firearm, three live cartridges, and a criminal charm. The individuals apprehended were Asaiye Omolaja, Azeez Nofiu, Mathew Adewale, and Bolaji Ogunkemaya. It is worth noting that Bolaji Ogunkemaya was found with the four deceased persons in the same room where the killings occurred. One individual, Wasiu, managed to escape before the authorities arrived.
“During the raid, Bolaji Ogunkemaya provided critical information, stating that their leader, known as Azubuike aka Better, had been arrested by the Area Commander a fortnight ago. This information underscores the commitment of the police to dismantle these criminal networks.
“To address the alarming rise in cult-related violence, the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu personally visited Sagamu on Monday morning to assess the situation firsthand and profile all the suspects apprehended.
“The CP sternly warns all cultists in Ogun State that their activities will no longer be tolerated. He has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards senseless killings and vows that none of these cultists will go unpunished,” the PPRO submitted in the statement.