Ilorin cult clash: Kwara police command arrest 13

Kwara state police command has arrested 13 persons suspected to have involved themselves in a recent four-day cult clash in the Ilorin metropolis.

It is recalled that eight persons were reportedly feared killed while several others sustained serious injuries in the clash between Thursday last week and Sunday.

The development also caused apprehension among residents in the affected areas while the cultists’ onslaughts lasted.

It was gathered that the clash was caused by supremacy battle between two rival cult groups in the ancient town, as such places as Oyun, Ikokoro, Osere, Olunlade, Niger, Kilanko, Olufadi, Egbejila and Ita-Ogunbo were affected.

Meanwhile, the state police command confirmed that only three lives were lost in the onslaughts.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday the police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, said that only six of the 13 suspects that were arrested had been found culpable, “After a thorough interrogation of the arrested suspects”.

The PPRO also said that the suspects would soon be prosecuted in court, adding that efforts were on to nab others suspected to have been involved in the clash.

He debunked speculation that the masterminds of the clash were members of vigilance group in the state, saying that the state police command would not tolerate breakdown of law and order from any quarter.

The PPRO also warned troublemakers to desist from their acts and advised residents of the state to continue to support the police command in supply of information about criminals and their hideouts so as to reduce crime in the state.