The Osun State Police Command has verified the death of three persons in a suspected cult clash in Ilesa, Osun State.
The victims were said to have been shot dead at 8:00 p.m. Monday amid a clash between alleged members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities.
The announcement was made by the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in charge of election and security, Samuel Erale.
The identity of the three victims were still to be determined, Ojelabi said. He said four spent cartridges and two Android mobile phones were found from the spot.
The Commissioner of Police, following the event, has asked operators of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and other tactical teams to increase patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations in Ilesa and its environments.
The measures were focused mainly at known flashpoints to head off possible retaliation assaults, police added. The command advised members of competing cult groups and other criminal elements not to use the incident to inflict further bloodshed.
It added anyone caught up in cult-related violence or other criminal activity would be detained and prosecuted under the law.
The police also appealed to the people of Ilesa to be calm and law-abiding, avoid spreading unsubstantiated information and report any suspicious movement or activity to the relevant authorities promptly.
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