Ogun Police Command yesterday confirmed arrest of 22 suspects in connection with a clash in Ijebu – Ode where three people were reportedly killed.
The Command’s Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi in a statement on Monday, said contrary to the report that the clash was political, it was a supremacy battle between members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups operating within Ijebu-Ode and its environ.
Oyeyemi said when the clash broke out, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu immediately dispatched tactical Units of PMF, Anti-Kidnapping/cultist Unit and the Special Anti Robbery Squad as well as the Area Commander Ijebu-Ode to bring the situation under control.
According to him, the combine efforts of the Special and tactical Units and Area Commander led to arrest of 22 suspects who were directly linked to the crisis and normalcy has since returned to the town.
He said parcels of weed suspected to be Indian hemp and expended cartridges were part of “incriminating items” recovered from the suspects.
Oyeyemi said the CP had directed the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department with the Anti Kidnapping and Cultist Unit “to conduct tactical and forensic investigation into the case with the view of bringing to justice those who have one link or the other to the crisis.”
Oyeyemi said, “The Command therefore wishes to set the record straight that the clash is between two rival cult groups which has nothing to do with the political development in the State.
“The crisis was as a result of superiority battle between members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups within Ijebu-Ode and its environ which led to the death of three members of the cult groups.
“The CP equally warned that any act that is capable of jeopardizing the prevalent existing peace being enjoyed by good people of the State will be viewed with all seriousness.”
