Clash of Student Cultists leaves 16 dead in Ilorin

Firstclass newsline learnt that no fewer than 16 students alleged to
be cultists in the Kwara State Polytechnic have been feared killed
during a renewed clash that ensued between two rival cult groups in
the institution.
Already, the police have arrested about 30 people in connection with
the dastardly incident.
Firstclass newsline investigation revealed that the incident happened
over the weekend when suspected members of Aiye and Eiye
Confraternities clashed at the polytechnic.
The cause of the clash by the cult groups could not be ascertained as
at the time of filing this report, but the authorities of the
polytechnic have closed down the institution indefinitely.
Firstclass newsline learnt that one of the victims was gunned down
during the screening of aspirants for the students' union's election,
while suspected members of Eiye confraternity reportedly killed
another victim at Asa Dam road.
An eyewitness told journalists yesterday that the death led to a
renewed clash between members of Eiye and Aiye confraternities, adding
that it later spread to other parts of the metropolis such as Agbooba,
Baboko, Saboline, Irewolede and Niger Road.
A Niger Road resident, who pleaded anonymity, said: "It all started
around 4 pm at the weekend. A victim who lived at Agbooba was killed
beside a bridge close to the filling station at Oja Tinton area of
Ilorin.
"Another dead body was found at Victory Hotel, Agbooba on Sunday. One
suspected cultist was murdered at Irewolede yesterday. The deceased
was chased to the area and in the process was matcheted by his
assailants and left to die."
But, in a swift reaction monday, the institution's Public Relations
Officer, Alhaji Yunus Abdulkadir, said the management of the school
had closed down the institution since last week after the students had
finished their examinations.
Also, contacted on the development yesterday, the state police command
Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, an Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the incident, said the
command had arrested about 30 people in connection with the incident.
He said that 14 people among the arrested suspects were found culpable
after preliminary investigations.
The PPRO, who said investigations was still ongoing on the killings,
added that the 14 suspects would be charged to court this week.
In another development, a 36-year-old man identified as Augustine
Daniel died mysteriously in Akure last Sunday morning while allegedly
trying to perform some rituals.
The incident happened at 11, Igbalaye Street, in Akure South Local
Government Area of Ondo State.
The deceased was found dead in his sitting room with a bottle of
Seaman Schnapps, a bottle of Jik bleach, a knife and two dead hens.
The remains of the deceased have since been deposited at the State
Specialist Hospital Akure for further examination.
According to reports, the suspected ritualist, who was said to be an
auxiliary nurse in an undisclosed hospital, locked himself inside his
sitting room during the ritual activity, which eventually led to his
death.
A source in the compound revealed that they had been suspecting the
activities of the deceased for more than a month.
The source alleged that he had turned the house into a mini-hospital
where he used to carry out abortion for young girls.
She noted that whenever they confronted him on his activities, the
deceased always threatened them with charms.
Confirming the incident, the state command's Police Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Wole Ogodo, said the matter had been transferred to the
state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for proper
investigation.
Ogodo said it was the wife of the alleged ritualist who came to the
station to report the incident on that fateful day after she
discovered that the living room was locked.
According to him, "One Folake Augustine came to the station to report
that at about 8 am that she left for church leaving her husband named
Augustine Godwin, 36 years, at home. When she returned at about
3:30pm, she discovered that the living room was locked, when the door
was forced open, he was found dead on the chair, naked".
Firstclassnewsline.net