A deadly clash between two rival cult groups in the Atan-Ota area of Ogun State has claimed the life of a man identified as Bashiru Saidu.
It was learnt that four gunmen who arrived on two motorcycles on Sunday night attacked and fatally shot Saidu, who was thought to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Monday and stated that investigations were being conducted to identify the individuals responsible for the murder.
She said, “The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into a fatal cult-related incident that claimed the life of one individual in the Atan-Ota area of the state.”
According to her, the Atan-Ota Divisional Headquarters received a distress call at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday reporting that “four armed men, riding on two motorcycles, attacked and fatally shot one Bashiru Saidu, aged 44, along Bankole Onibukun Street, Atan-Ota.
“The assailants immediately fled the scene after the attack.”
Odutola continued that officers found the victims with a gunshot wound to the head when they arrived at the scene.
“His body was evacuated and deposited at the State Hospital Mortuary, Ilaro, for further examination,” Odutola said.
In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has deployed the command’s Anti-Cultism Unit to the area.
The spokesperson noted that the unit had been tasked with conducting a “thorough investigation aimed at apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous act.”
The command, she said, “strongly condemns all forms of cult-related violence and reiterates its commitment to rooting out cultism and restoring peace and security across the state.”
Furthermore, Odutola asked citizens to stay vigilant and notify the local police station of any suspicious activity.
