Cult Clash: Residents Panic As Police Launches Massive Arrest

By Sikiru Obarayese  

Sequel to the bloody clash between some cult groups in Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun early in the week, there have been panic in some part of the city, as the security agencies have launched massive arrest.

It would be recalled that sequel to the killing of one Hamed Olugbodi, son of a former State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Olugbodi, who was said to be a member of one the groups. The groups have been trailing each other and engaging in bloody clashes.

The clash of Monday this week was the height of it all, when the groups took over some parts of the state capital like Oke-Ayepe, Ayetoro, Owode, and Old-Garage among others, shooting sporadically and displaying machets, axes and other dangerous weapon in search of their rivals.

The clash continued till Tuesday, after which the police has launched an operation in search of members of the cult groups.

However, massive arrests that have been launched by the state Police Command, which has begun to create panic, as residents are now entertaining fear over what they called “indiscriminate arrest of members of public who are innocent”.

In some strategic places like Ayetoro, Old-Garage, Ola-Iya and Oke-fia among others, shop owners have cultivated the habit of closing their businesses very early for fear of being arrested for no just cause.

It was also observed that residents are now afraid of staying at bus stops or along the road, waiting for mini-buses, particular during nightfall.

This was observed on Wednesday, as about three police vans were sited at Ola-Iya junction fully loaded with arrested people.

Some of the shop owners who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER in Alekuwodo area of the town said, they were forced to close their businesses very early than usual to avoid being arrested for no just cause.

They urged the police operatives to be mindful of the innocent ones in the course of carrying out investigation into the matter and making arrest.