Adeleke orders clampdown as suspected cultists kill one in Ilesa

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday, directed security agencies in the state to end violent attacks in Ilesa that led to the death of about five residents in less than one week.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that two rival cult groups identified as Ave and Eye had been locked in a bloody supremacy battle in the town recently.

The casualty figure rose to five after another attack at Oke Omiru Area of Ilesa Tuesday evening, during which a yet-to-be-identified resident was feared killed.

Earlier on Sunday, two suspected cultists were shot dead at Imo Junction, while another two were killed around Sabo/Irojo Junction on Tuesday afternoon, in what was believed to be revenge for the killing.

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The latest killing which occurred around 7:49 pm on Tuesday at Oke Omiru area, was said to be a reprisal of the earlier attack.

Reacting to the gradual descent to anarchy in Ilesa, Adeleke in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, described the killing spree as ‘shocking and reprehensible,’ calling on the police service and other security agencies to act decisively to stop the cult clashes.

Lamenting the loss of lives of innocent residents, the governor directed that special operations to be carried out by the security agents should include intelligence gathering to arrest masterminds of the attacks, warning that, “All perpetrators will face the harsh reality of the law.

“I have been duly briefed on the developments in some parts of Ijeshaland. We will no longer tolerate actions capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in the state. We will not allow any group or individuals to use their internal wars to endanger public peace.

“This is a matter that threatens law and order. We must enforce the law and ensure peace without delay. This is one violence too many.

“I have directed the Commissioner of Police and other service chiefs to swing into action without delay. Violence and attacks must stop and perpetrators must be brought to book as urgently as possible,” he said.