At least six people are feared dead in a bloody fight between two rival cults late Sunday and on Monday morning in Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun.
Among the victims are a bricklayer and a family of three, who were caught up in the crossfire between the rival groups.
Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria the melee broke out shortly after two separate political meetings between rival political groups ahead of the 2019 general elections at the local government secretariat.
Four persons were allegedly shot dead during the clash while two additional victims got killed in a pre-dawn reprisal on Monday.
The fight which began at 5.30 p.m. on Sunday at Oke Sopen Road spilled over to Oke Agbo and Ojowo areas with gunshots fired intermittently.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the joint taskforce of security operatives had been deployed to restore calm to the area.
Oyeyemi assured residents that the situation had been brought under control and advised them not to panic.
He said: “As soon as we got wind of the situation, special forces were dispatched to the location to restore calm and as we speak, the security personnel are on alert to prevent a recurrence.
“We will ensure that the perpetrators are all brought to book. We want to also assure residents that they need not be afraid. We are on top of the situation.”
Six feared dead in Ogun violent cult clash
