A cult clash in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State has left two persons dead and a policeman injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, April 26, 2023, and continued into the early hours of Thursday in Agbowa and other areas of Sagamu. According to a resident of the area who spoke to Punch, the sound of gunshots was heard during the clash between two rival cult groups, causing residents to flee for safety.
A source reported that at the end of the clash, two dead bodies were found. One of the victims was a young man who was shot dead at Agbowa, Makun, behind Sagamu Hall, while the other was killed in a different area within the council. The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident and said that a policeman was shot by the cultists and has been taken to the hospital, where he is responding to treatment.
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Oyeyemi also stated that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the clash, and efforts are being made to apprehend the others involved. He further explained that the policeman who was injured in the clash had pellets of cartridges extracted from his body, but he is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, a Facebook post by Ogundipe Kazeem Olalekan claimed that three persons were killed in the cult clash. However, this has not been confirmed by any official source at this time.
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Cult clashes have become a recurrent issue in many parts of Nigeria, leading to the loss of many lives and property. The Nigerian government has been making efforts to address the problem, with security agencies carrying out operations to apprehend cultists and dismantle their hideouts. However, the problem persists, and it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to find a lasting solution.
The Ogun State government has been working to tackle the issue of cultism in the state, with Governor Dapo Abiodun signing into law the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Bill in 2022. The law stipulates a life sentence for anyone found guilty of engaging in cultism and kidnapping. The government has also set up a task force to tackle cultism and other forms of criminality in the state.
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In light of this recent cult clash in Sagamu, it is imperative for the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. It is also essential for community members to cooperate with security agencies and provide information that can help in the fight against cultism and other forms of criminality. Ultimately, a concerted effort by all stakeholders is required to put an end to the menace of cultism in Nigeria.
