Police hunt killers after deadly Ogun cult clash

The detectives of the Oke Itoku Division of the Ogun State Police Command, Abeokuta, have commenced a full-scale investigation into a suspected cult-related violent clash that resulted in the death of one male adult around Ijemo Agbadu, Abeokuta, on Sunday.

This is just as the police also stated that the killing had nothing to do with a political programme held at Ake on Sunday by the Yayi Progressives Movement.

The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement made available to PUNCH Metro on Monday.

Babaseyi said, “At about 2:45 p.m., a confrontation reportedly broke out between members of suspected rival cult groups along Wasimi Ake Road, specifically between Centenary Hall and Lotus Bank, leading towards the Ijemo Agbadu axis.

“The Ogun State Police Command unequivocally clarifies that this incident did not occur at Ake Palace, did not take place within the venue of the rally, and is in no way connected to the Yayi Progressive Movement inauguration programme held at Ake Palace. The clash was strictly confined to the aforementioned roadway and its adjoining neighbourhood.”

He stated that preliminary findings indicated that gunshots were heard in the area, causing panic as the suspected hoodlums engaged one another and fled on foot towards adjoining streets within the Wasimi Ake–Ijemo Agbadu axis.

Babaseyi explained that detectives of the Oke Itoku Division responded promptly to distress calls and were immediately deployed to the scene.

He disclosed, “On getting to the scene of the crime, operatives found one victim, identified simply as ‘Stone’, lying in a pool of blood with critical gunshot injuries.

“He was promptly evacuated in collaboration with the State Ambulance Service to the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

“The corpse has since been deposited at the hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.”

Babaseyi said the command had launched an intensified manhunt for the perpetrators and is actively pursuing credible leads to ensure their swift arrest and prosecution.

He said normalcy had been fully restored in the area, and an adequate security presence has been put in place to prevent any recurrence.

While urging members of the public to remain calm but vigilant, the command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged residents to provide timely and useful information to aid ongoing investigations.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency channels: Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.