Fatal cult violence sparks deadly retaliation in Osun, claiming five lives

A wave of violence has swept through Ilesa, Osun State, leaving five people dead in just 12 hours, as rival cult groups clashed in two separate incidents. The deadly clashes involved suspected members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities at two locations in the town.

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The first incident occurred around 8 pm on Monday in the Imo Area of Ilesa, resulting in the loss of three lives as the rival cult groups engaged in violent clashes. The state police command confirmed the incident, with the command's Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, stating that three people lost their lives in the clashes.

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Following a distress call from the area, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Samuel Etaifo, directed the deployment of operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit to the scene of the crime. This swift response aimed to restore order and prevent further escalation of the violence.

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In a second incident, which occurred around 8 am on Tuesday at the Igbogi/Ikoti Area of the town, two male adults were confirmed dead, while one female and a male sustained gunshot injuries and were hospitalized. The police have confirmed that the incident was a reprisal attack by a suspected rival cult group.

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Abiodun Ojelabi provided an update on the security situation in Ilesa, stating that the CP in charge of the election visited the scenes of the crime on Tuesday and gave marching orders to the Divisional Police Officers to fish out the perpetrators. The police are working to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

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According to Ojelabi, three men and a woman were attacked, making a total of four victims, with two men confirmed dead at the hospital, and a man and a woman responding to treatment. The victims currently responding to treatment are Gbenga Adedigba and Victoria Adediji, while the names of the deceased are yet to be known.

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Ojelabi explained that the killings occurred around 8 am at the Igbogi Ikoti area of Ilesa, and from the reports, the incident has a link to the cult clash that occurred at the Imo area of Ilesa on Monday. The police are investigating the incident and working to establish the circumstances surrounding the killings.

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Describing the incident, Ojelabi said that the police received information about sporadic shooting at the location, and upon arrival, they found two lifeless bodies and others who were severely injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. The police are yet to make any arrests but are working to apprehend the perpetrators.

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The CP election, Samuel Etaifo, visited the scene of the crime and directed the DPO and the Area Commander to take necessary action to address the situation. The police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community, particularly with the governorship election approaching.

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Security agencies, including soldiers, Navy, Airforce, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Department of State Services, led by the CP election, Samuel Etaifo, conducted a show of strength on Tuesday, moving through selected communities in the state ahead of the poll. The long convoy aimed to demonstrate the security presence and deter any potential criminal activity.

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According to Ojelabi, the show of strength was not intended to scare people away from voting but rather to reassure them that the security agencies are present to protect them. The goal is to create a safe and secure environment for the election, allowing people to exercise their right to vote without fear.

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Ojelabi emphasized that the security agencies are committed to protecting the public and ensuring a peaceful election, stating that the CP election led the operation himself, accompanied by the military, Civil Defence, and other sister agencies. The operation was a demonstration of the security agencies' readiness to maintain law and order during the election.

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The security convoy moved through various communities, including Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Modakeke, and Ede, with the CP election meeting with some family members of the victims, pacifying them, and assuring them that those behind the incidents would be apprehended. The operation began around 9 am and concluded around 6 pm, covering a significant area of the state.