Cult clashes claim 4 in Ilorin

Four persons were reportedly killed within three days in bloody clashes among rival cult members in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Metro gathered that the first occurrence of the cult clash was on Monday night at Gaa-Akanbi area of the metropolis, when suspected rival cult members snuffed life out of a young man said to be in his 20s.

The incident, which occurred a week after the deceased had served as best man during his elder brother’s wedding, reportedly happened at a popular relaxation spot in Gaa-Akanbi area.

Eyewitness account had it that the two eyes of the victim were plucked with knives and he was left in the pool of his own blood.

It was also gathered that the incident later spread to Ipata market and Kankatu-Okelele areas of the state capital on Tuesday, where two persons were reportedly killed by suspected cultists around 4.00 p. m. and 9.00 p. m.

Metro gathered that the corpse of a young man of about 18 years, killed at Kankatu-Okelele area of the town was said to have been dumped beside Amule bridge in the area.

It was also gathered that the suspected cult members were chanting victory songs after the dastardly act, adding that it was a “one-one” draw game.

Metro also gathered that the corpse of the young man said to hail from Osoogun compound of the metropolis, including other corpses, were reportedly evacuated by men of the state police command and deposited at a hospital morgue in the town.

In the Wednesday clash, a man said to be in his 30s was reportedly hacked down by suspected cult members at Odoota area of the metropolis.

The suspected cultists were said to have killed their victim between 10 and 11.00 a. m. when the deceased was preparing to go to his place of work.

Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident, adding that he was yet to get information regarding the other incidents in the metropolis.