Cult clash: Six killed, Ondo community imposes curfew

No fewer than six persons have been killed over the supremacy battle between two rival cult groups in the Okitipupa council area of Ondo state.

Also, ten-person reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries during the cult clashes in the community.

It was learnt that the clash which started last week was between two rivalry cult groups, Black axe and Eiye fraternity.

To douse the tension and anxiety in the town and to curtail the incessant killings, monarchs and stakeholders in the area have imposed a seven-hour curfew in the town.

The Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, Oba Micheal Obatuga said the traditional rulers and other stakeholders agreed on the imposition of curfew in the town between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.

Oba Obatuga noted that the perpetrators carried out their evils act within that period with the use of motorcycles.
He advised residents to call their wards who might likely be involved in such unpleasant acts to order.

Speaking on the killings, the council Chairman, Igbekele Akinrinwa, said the community leaders, traditional leaders have held a series of meetings in respect of the worrisome development in the council by the youths

“We have spoken with all the security agencies and they are on the ground to arrest anyone found perpetrating the evil act.

Also, the member of the House of Representatives for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, Mr Gboluga Ikengboju has condemned in strong terms, the incessant killings among unidentified youth groups in the town.

Ikengboju called on security agencies and stakeholders, including the traditional institution to rescue the ugly situation.

He warned that the country has laws and the law will take its course against evil perpetrators.

Contacted, the State police command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami who lamented the rate of secret cults’ activities in the state, especially in the Okitipupa council area, said the situation has taken a worrisome dimension.

Odunlami described the cases of reported cult-related clashes in the Okitipupa area of the state as alarming. She attributed the recent upsurge in secret cultism among young boys below 25 years of age to a lack of parental responsibility.

” The police will not fold its arms and watch anyone try to truncate the existing peace being enjoyed in the land.

(Vanguard)