Cult war leaves two dead, scores injured in Ogun communities

Two persons were feared killed and many injured yesterday in an attack and counter attacks by suspected cult groups in four communities – Agodo, Elega, Iberekodo and Adatan, in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

For close to three hours, there was pendomonium in the affected communities. Residents, who came out early, ran back for safety, as the suspected cult members used cutlasses, guns and other dangerous weapons to attack one another.

At Ago-Odo, a 32-year-old man, Babatunde Alamutu, was found dead in a pool of blood. Another person was reportedly killed at Elega.

Senior police officers and operatives of the special units, including men of the Department of State Security (DSS), the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and scores of police officers, who were led by the Abeokuta Area Commander, Presley Dodeh and the Divisional Police Officer of Adatan, Ogunjobi Tolani, restore peace.

The security operatives, who stormed the areas in 14 Hilux vans and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), raided a house believed to belong to one of the leaders of a cult group. He was said to be a suspected member of the Oodua Peoples Congress.

Three buildings at Sodolamu compound were damaged and vehicles were vandalised.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told The Nation that one person, Babatunde Alamutu, was killed.

He said his remains was taken to a morgue in Abeokuta, adding that 33 suspected cult members were arrested.

Adejobi said 84 suspected cult members were nabbed a forest at Igbesa on Sunday while they were planning to carry out cult-related rites. Seven others were apprehended in Ilaro.

He said the suspects, who had been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), would be screened to ascertain their cult groups.