Pandemonium broke out in some parts of Abeokuta, such as Iberekodo, Ago-Odo, Elega and Adatan yesterday, as two rival cult groups clashed, leaving three persons dead, including a newly-wedded man.
The clash, which started around 7a.m., lasted for three hours as residents and shop owners hurriedly closed their doors and stayed in-doors for hours till normalcy returned to the areas.
At the end of the clash, said to have erupted at a pub inside the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, last Friday, three people had been killed.
Vanguard gathered that the cultists, who wore masks during the clash, severed the right palm of one Babatunde Alamutu and went away with the limb after they had mutilated the body and slashed his throat.
Investigations revealed that Alamutu was a leader of Eiye Confraternity, who was reported to have shot at a member of Aiye Confraternity.
However, the bullet did not penetrate the target.
Alamutu, who was popularly known as Emir, was reportedly attacked immediately after his wedding introduction held at Elega Junction in the area.
Vanguard checks revealed that there was a reprisal attack by members of Eiye Confraternity, who stormed Ago-Odo around 7.30a.m. and reportedly killed two other persons.
One of the victims, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also killed in the same manner as Alamutu, while his remains was reportedly thrown into nearby Ogun River.
Security operatives, including men of the Department of State Services, DSS; men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and scores of policemen, were led to the scene by Abeokuta Area Commander, Presley Dodeh, and the Divisional Police Officer of Adatan, Ogunjobi Tolani.
The operatives, who drove into the scene in 14 Hilux vans and Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, later raided a house believed to belong to a kingpin of Aiye, and a member of Oodua Peoples Congress, Najimu’s aged father, Musibau Sodolamu, his fourth wife, identified as Iya Azeez, and an unidentified elder sister were arrested in the process.
Three buildings at Sodolamu’s compound were completely razed, while no fewer than 10 vehicles were vandalized.
While confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said only one person was killed, identified as Babatunde Alamutu, 32.
According to him, many people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
He said: “Altogether, we have been able to arrest more than 100 cultists between yesterday and today (yesterday). So, we confirm that one Alamutu died during the cult clash this morning (yesterday).
“We have not ascertained the cult groups that clashed. After proper investigations, the CP is going to hold a press briefing.”