A clash between rival cult gangs, Aiye and Eye Confraternities, in a supremacy battle, resulted in the death of two suspected members on Sunday, March 28, 2021.
The two members, identified as Akinwale Rotimi and Sogo Owonikoko, popularly called ‘Marley’, were killed at Arikanlamu and Obate areas in Osogbo, the state capital.
One other cult member, who was injured, had been receiving treatment in the hospital.
The clash led to the arrests of suspected cult members by the Osun State Police Command.
Disclosing this in a statement on Monday, March 29, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Yemisi Opalola, said that the arrests were made with the collaboration of security agencies in the state, in the quest to ensure that the state residents are well secured and could go on their legitimate businesses.
She added that the security agencies had unanimously mapped out stringent security mechanism to guarantee serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The PPRO said that when the case was reported to the state command, “police, together with other security agencies, including local security outfits in the state, swiftly swung into action, which led to the arrest of some of the cult members.
“They will be presented to the members of the public soon, before their prosecution in the law court after the conclusion of investigations.”
She said that an intensive manhunt was being carried out, to ensure that every member of the groups is arrested, in order to avoid another mayhem.
In a similar vein, the PPRO stated that 10 suspected cultists were arrested on Monday, after the police got a tip-off from a member of public that some suspected cult members were planning to carry out their activities around Ikire axis.
The suspects were said to have been rounded up in a hotel where they had gathered.
“In view of this, the Command enjoins the general public as partner with us in community policing efforts, by providing us with adequate and useful information at any time, when such unlawful gatherings or activities are sighted, before they would carry out their evil activities.
“Parents and guardians are hereby advised to monitor their children to be law-abiding, and not allow their wards to be lured into any act that could truncate their future.
“This stern warning is imperative, as anyone caught will be dealt with in accordance with the extant laws.
“The Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, further reiterates that security agencies will continue to synergise and work assiduously to maintain law and order, to tackle all forms of crime to the barest minimum,” Opalola said in the statement.
