FEAR GRIPS OSOGBO COMMUNITY AS SUSPECTED CULTIST KILLS RESIDENT DURING MASQUERADE CLASH

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Residents of Oke Ola community in Osogbo are living in fear following the killing of a man identified as Kazeem, who was reportedly shot in the head during a violent clash involving suspected cultists who followed a masquerade procession into the area.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday and is believed to have been instigated by members of the Eiye Confraternity, allegedly led by one Tajudeen from the Oke Baale area. Eyewitnesses say the cult group clashed with a rival gang in the Oke Ola community, resulting in a chaotic confrontation that left Kazeem dead and several others injured.

“I saw them clearly. Tajudeen and his group followed the masquerade into our community and started fighting another group. They used guns and other weapons. It was during this that Kazeem was shot in the head,” a local shopkeeper who witnessed the violence said.

The tension in the area was momentarily eased following the arrival of armed police operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit, who responded to a distress call. The officers dispersed the cultists and took control of the scene, retrieving Kazeem’s body and maintaining a security presence in the neighbourhood.

Despite the deployment of officers, residents remain anxious, fearing potential reprisals or renewed violence.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the killing and said a manhunt had been launched to apprehend those responsible.

“The hoodlums took advantage of the masquerade festival to carry out this criminal act. We have identified the suspects and are actively pursuing them. The police will not condone any form of lawlessness in the state,” Ojelabi said.

As of Monday evening, no arrests had been made, but police maintained a visible presence in the community to prevent further unrest.