In a tragic incident that has heightened security concerns in Ondo State, at least five people were feared dead following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Owo.
The clash erupted on Sunday night, leading to the deaths of several individuals, including Fisayo Oladipupo, a former youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the community.
The 56-year-old Oladipupo was discovered dead around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, while four others were fatally shot in various parts of the community, including the Eyinogbe, Ekusi, and Uselu areas.
Among the victims was a mother and her child, who tragically succumbed to stray bullets near Mobil Junction in Owo.
Sources indicate that the violence stemmed from a long-standing feud that has reportedly existed for over a decade, resulting in the loss of several lives over the years. One anonymous source speculated that Oladipupo may have known his attackers, based on the nature of the assault.
“The death of Oladipupo escalated the tension in Owo,” the source said. “By morning, news of his killing had spread, and soon after, more deaths were reported across different parts of the community.”
The situation has sparked outrage among local residents, who are now calling for increased security measures to curb the growing insecurity in the region.
In a statement, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, confirmed that investigations into the attack are underway.
“While we cannot confirm whether an APC chieftain was involved, four deaths have been confirmed. The police are actively working to restore normalcy and arrest those responsible for this tragic event,” she said.
This incident adds to the mounting concerns over the rising violence in Ondo, and local authorities are under pressure to take decisive action.
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