24 killed in Ogun cult violence in six months – Investigation

No fewer than 24 people, including a traditional chief, have been killed in cult-related violence that took place in Ogun State between January and June this year.

Findings by Saturday According revealed that the cult clashes were largely between members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities, while Alora/Buccaneer members were also involved in a few of the attacks.

The first casualty of the cult killings this year was the Bashorun Akarigbo, Sagamu, Chief Abiodun Folarin, who was killed on Monday, January 8.

Folarin was killed in his Itunsokun, Sagamu residence around 10:45pm by the cultists who were said to be uncomfortable with his war against their activities.

On Friday, February 1, a notorious cultist known as Oloba was killed while another person, Tayo Alora, was murdered on February 4 in an attack and reprisal between Aiye, Eiye and Buccaneer confraternities.

The attacks and reprisal took place at the Ijeja, Adehun and Akinolugbade areas of Abeokuta.

According to reports, the cult clashes continued on February 7 where three people who were said to be members of Eiye confraternity were killed.

“One of the cultists was killed at Randa, Idi Iya, the second was killed at Sodeke, while the third was murdered at Oke Ijeun, all in Abeokuta”, said a source privy to the cult clashes in the areas.

Members of the three cult groups renewed their war on February 20, resulting in the killing of one Tobi.

However, the cultists ceased fire between February 21 and March 17, as the state recorded no violent clash among them.

But violence returned to the state on March 18, following the killing of Sanni Ibrahim and Azeez Bada who were said to be involved in a clash between Eiye and Aiye cult groups at Igbesa, Agbara area of Ogun State.

Abeokuta recorded another cult-related violence on Sunday, March 31, leading to the killing of one Olumide Ifeoluwa, popularly known as Tescom, at the Ijeun Tuntun area of the state capital.

According to an X account, “Naija Confra” which tracks the activities of cultists in Nigeria, an unidentified person was killed by the cultists on April 2, 2024, at the Oluwo Adigbe area of Abeokuta.

On April 21, one Azeez Olaitan, a suspected member of Aiye confraternity was also killed in Alogi, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State in a faceoff between his group and Eiye confraternity.

The Ogun State House of Assembly had during its plenary on May 2, 2024, reported that no fewer than 10 individuals lost their lives to cult-related violence within 42 days in Abeokuta.

Barely a week after the Assembly’s outcry, Saturday According gathered that the cultists engaged in free for, leading to the death of one of them at the Atan-Lusada area of the state on May 8.

It was also gathered that there was a reprisal of the Atan-Lusada killing between Aiye and Eiye cultists, which resulted in the death of another person on May 10, at Igbesa.

This was just as one person was reportedly killed at the Lantoro area of Abeokuta in another clash between the ravaging rival cult groups.

The cultists also struck again on May 14, killing one Segun popularly known as “Ojo Ibo” at Bode Olude, Abeokuta, according to sources. Segun’s right wrist was reportedly chopped off after being killed in the clash.

A notorious cultist who went by the name ‘Warlord’ was shot during the matriculation ceremony at DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, on May 18. He later died at a hospital where he was taken for treatment the same day.

According to Naija Confra, a clash between members of Aiye and Eiye cult groups at Ijoko led to the killing of a person whose name was not known on May 23, 2024.

Saturday According also gathered that the rival cult groups attacked each other on May 25 at Fajol, Obantoko, Abeokuta. One person was reportedly killed in the clash.

There was no reported case of cult-related violence in any part of Ogun State in June

However, a final year student of History and Diplomatic Studies at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Ayinla Fabiyi, was killed on Wednesday, July 3 by some suspected cultists.

Fabiyi’s death makes the number of reported casualties in cult-related violence in Ogun State the 25th between January 8 and July 3, 2024.

Speaking with Saturday According, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun Command, Mrs Omolola Odutola, said the police were actively committed to curtailing the violent activities of cultists in the state.

She said, “We have arrested some suspects in relation to the violent activities of the cultists. The suspects will be charged in court after the investigation. We are not resting on our laurels. I want to urge members of the public to provide information and report any suspicious movement to the police.”