The Osun State Police Command has attributed a recent shooting incident in Ilesa to a clash between rival cult groups.
The Command also dismissed earlier claims linking the violence to clashes between supporters of political parties.
According to a statement by the Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan on Tuesday, said five suspects have been taken into custody following the outbreak of violence, which occurred on Monday evening in the Adeti area of the town.
Ojelabi, disclosed that officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit responded swiftly after reports of gunfire in the neighbourhood.
He explained that the confrontation, which started around 7pm on Monday, involved suspected cult members who engaged one another in a gun duel before security operatives intervened.
“On Monday, there was a cult clash around Adeti area, Ilesa at about 7pm, and five people were arrested by the anti-cultism squad,” Ojelabi said.
He added that items recovered from the suspects included an axe and criminal charms which he said suggested possible ritual elements associated with the groups.
Ojelabi clarified that initial assumptions had pointed to armed robbery or general criminal activity, but subsequent findings indicated the suspects were affiliated with cult groups.
“At first, we thought they were armed hoodlums, but when we arrested some of them, preliminary investigations showed that they were cultists,” he stated.
The police spokesperson also confirmed that several other individuals involved in the clash managed to escape and are currently being pursued by security operatives.
“Some people fled and we are still looking for them,” he added.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to restore calm and apprehend all those connected to the incident.
Prior to the police clarification, speculation had circulated that the shooting was linked to political thuggery involving members of rival parties in the state.
There were also unverified reports suggesting the violence was connected to activities surrounding the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise in the area.
Ilesa shooting due to cult rivalry, five arrested — Police