Five people have been shot dead during a violent clash between suspected cult groups in Owo, Ondo State.
Among the deceased is Mr. Fisayo Oladipo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former chairmanship aspirant for Owo Local Government.
The 52-year-old, who was also a former youth leader for the APC in the area, was reportedly killed at his residence in the wee hours of Monday.
According to media reports, cult conflict erupted around 2am on Monday, 6th January 2025, with two rival groups engaged in a battle for supremacy.
Four other victims were shot in the Eyinogbe, Ekusi, and Uselu areas of the town.
Though, an unverified source revealed that his killers were seeking revenge for an unresolved issue that dates back over a decade.
“The attackers were familiar with the Chieftain. It stemmed from a long-standing family conflict.”
“We learned that the house of one of the attackers was set ablaze by local youths, prompting a retaliatory arson of the victim’s father’s house.
“The murder of Oladipupo escalated tensions in Owo. We heard he was killed around 2:00am this morning.
“As the community was still reeling from his death, we learned that others had also been attacked and killed in various parts of Owo.
“A woman and her child were killed in Mobile, struck by stray bullets while trying to escape to safety”, the source said.
Two other victims suspected to be cult members, died during a shootout between the rival groups.
Moreover, Oladipupo’s body has been taken to the morgue at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo.
While confirming the unfortunate incident, the spokesperson of the command in Ondo, Funmi Odunlami, noted that police detectives have commenced investigations.
“We cannot confirm if an APC chieftain is among the deceased, but four people have been confirmed dead. Normalcy has returned thanks to police intervention, and efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible”, the police image maker said.