The Police Command in Osun has confirmed the death of three persons in a suspected cult-related clash in the Imo Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the clash, involving suspected members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities, occurred at about 8 p.m. on Monday.
He said the three victims, identified as Idowu, Yinka and Eja, were reportedly shot dead, although their identities were yet to be fully established.
Ojelabi said following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the state governorship election, Samuel Etaifo, directed the deployment of operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to the area.
He said four expended cartridges and two Android mobile phones were recovered from the scene, while preliminary investigations had commenced.
The spokesperson added that the command was working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those connected with the clash.
Etaifo also directed VCRU operatives and other tactical teams to intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations in Ilesa and adjoining areas, particularly at identified flashpoints, to prevent reprisal attacks.
The command warned members of rival cult groups and other criminal elements against exploiting the incident to cause further violence, stressing that anyone involved in cult-related violence, reprisal attacks, unlawful possession of firearms or other criminal activities would face the law.
