Man dies in suspected cult shooting in Ogun

A violent clash between two rival cult groups in the Atan-Ota area of Ogun State has left a man, identified as Bashiru Saidu, dead.

News gathered that Saidu, believed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity, was attacked and fatally shot by four gunmen who arrived on two motorcycles on Sunday night.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said investigations were underway to apprehend the suspects behind the killing.

She said, “The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into a fatal cult-related incident that claimed the life of one individual in the Atan-Ota area of the state.”

According to her, the Atan-Ota Divisional Headquarters received a distress call at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday reporting that “four armed men, riding on two motorcycles, attacked and fatally shot one Bashiru Saidu, aged 44, along Bankole Onibukun Street, Atan-Ota.

“The assailants immediately fled the scene after the attack.”

Odutola added that officers who arrived at the location found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head.

His body was evacuated and deposited at the State Hospital Mortuary, Ilaro, for further examination,” Odutola said.

In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has deployed the command’s Anti-Cultism Unit to the area.

The spokesperson noted that the unit had been tasked with conducting a “thorough investigation aimed at apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous act.”

The command, she said, “strongly condemns all forms of cult-related violence and reiterates its commitment to rooting out cultism and restoring peace and security across the state.”

Odutola also urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.