One Killed  as Police Arrest Three  Suspects  for  Cult  Supremacy Battle in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

One person  was  reportedly killed yesterday when the two rival cultist groups engaged in a supremacy battle in Ilorin, Kwara state capital. 

Already, operatives of the  state police command have arrested three suspected cultists allegedly connected with the bloody clash.

THISDAY checks revealed that crisis broke out between two rival cultists groups  at Budo-Oke, Eiyenkori area of Asa Local Government in the state.

The supremacy battle between the two rival  groups, it  was learnt, has led to the burning of two buildings in the town.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The development, however, prompted the operatives of the state police command to swing into action so as  to stop further break down of law and order in the area.

The efforts of the operatives of the state police command, according to sources, led to the arrest of  three suspected cultists that had involved in the violent clash.

The suspects arrested are: Suleiman Ismail, Mamud Ibrahim, and Mudashir Saeed, all residents of Budo-Oke, Eiyenkorin while a dane gun was found in the possession of the cultists at the time of their arrest.

When contacted, the state police command Public Relations Officer(PPRO) DSP Ejire Adeyemi-Toun, who confirmed the incident said that, one person has been confirmed dead while three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

She said that  police operatives have also intensified efforts to apprehend other suspects.

She said: “On 30th April, 2024 at about 0130hours, an altercation erupted between two suspected cultists identified as Adams Isah, also known as ‘Number One’, aged 28, and Rasaq Olorunwa, aged 28.

“Both are male residents of Budo-Oke in Eiyenkorin. The altercation escalated, resulting in Rasaq Olorunwa stabbing Adams Isah in the chest with a knife.

“Adams Isah was immediately rushed to the general hospital in Ilorin for medical attention. Tragically, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital by a medical doctor. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

“Following this incident, suspected members of the same cult group of the victim became violent, disturbing the peace of the public in a bid to avenge the death of their leader. The police tactical teams of the command swiftly responded and apprehended three suspects at the scene of the crime.”

She added that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Ilorin, for further investigation, while a manhunt has been launched to track down Rasaq Olorunwa who is presently at large and other culprits involved in the crime who may have fled the scene.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Victor Olaiya asserted that membership of any cult group is a serious criminal offense under the law and assured the public that normalcy has been restored to the area, while stringent efforts are underway to ensure justice is served.