A suspected clash between rival cult groups in the Ilese community of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has resulted in the deaths of a police officer and another man who has not yet been identified.
Report gathered on Sunday from a local resident who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation—that the violence broke out on Saturday night when suspected cult members invaded the area and opened fire indiscriminately.
According to the source, the attackers fatally shot a police officer and another man whose identity was still unknown. The individual noted that the incident was believed to be a confrontation between members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities.
The source said, “Tragedy struck last night around 10 p.m. at Ilese via Ijebu-Ode, as two individuals were killed in a suspected cult clash between Aye and Eiye confraternities.
“One of the victims is a police officer serving at Obalende Division, Ijebu-Ode. He is known as Olamilekan, while the second person was unknown. They were shooting sporadically when they stormed the area and left residents in panic.”
When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, confirmed the development on Sunday but explained that he had not yet received a comprehensive report on the circumstances of the attack.
He stated, “I can confirm that a police officer was a victim in the incident. I am still waiting for the details of what really happened.”
In recent weeks, police personnel have faced a series of violent assaults.
The report on Tuesday that five officers were killed and two others injured in what the Nigeria Police described as an ambush by suspected gunmen in Sabon Sara village, Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
That attack occurred fewer than three days after another officer was confirmed dead in the Federal Capital Territory while trying to fend off gunmen attempting to abduct residents.