Undergraduate escapes, as cultists invade home, kill two

A 100-level student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic identified as Roheem Olayimika Salau has escaped assassination attempts by some suspected cultists who reportedly invaded his home on February 4, 2024.

It was gathered that Salau of number 10 Ilupeju street, Mosafejo in Abule-Ijoko area of Ogun State was unknowingly living with some suspected cultists in Abeokuta where his campus was located.

It was learnt that the cultists suspected to belong to the Aiye confraternity invaded Oshungboye Crescent in Akinolugbade, Abeokuta and killed two.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the house attacked by the suspected cultists was a two-bedroom apartment where Salau was squatting with one of his area brothers from home.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the 17-year-old Salau was not in the building when the cultists attacked and kill the two other occupants.

They, however, claimed that the cultists threatened to kill Salau who was also an occupant on the premise that he is related to the people they killed.

One of the eyewitnesses who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said even though Salau was not a cultist, his relationship with one of the deceaseds has put him at risk.

"We all know Roheem Olayimika Salau in this area and he is easy going. He is living with one of his brothers.

"He was just lucky that he was not at home when the attack happened. We learnt the cultists have vowed to kill him anytime they see him not because he is one , but because they feel he is too close to those they kill.

"We just hope he is safe and we would also advised him to leave this area for now because his life is really at stake.

"Killings of innocent people by cult members is becoming rampant and I hope he will not become a victim," the source noted.

Speaking exclusively with our correspondent from his hideout, Salau lamented that his life has been at risk since the attack on his home.

He said he is presently on the run and hiding to invade being killed by the cultists that shot his brothers.

Salau lamented that several efforts to explain the true position of things to the police have not yielded positive response.

He lamented, "My life is at risk and I can't even sleep with my two eyes closed. I have been moving from one place to another.

"I want government to come to my aid and protect me from this people. I can't even continue my education in Abeokuta because of what I know nothing about.

"Has it become a crime to live with someone I know from home? I don't even know if these people are cultists, they are my area brothers and they were nice to me since I joined the Polytechnic.

"Now, they are gone and my own life is even on the line as these people continue to threaten to kill me anytime they see me."

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed that its operatives had arrested 11 suspects over the cult clashes in different parts of Abeokuta, the state capital which claimed four lives.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday.

Odutola said one Seun Elewode, a member of the Aye cult group, was killed during a shootout between rival cult groups in the Adeun area of Lafenwa, Abeokuta.

According to her, a suspected member of the Buccaneer Confraternity was killed in the Akinolugbade area of the town.

“One Seun Elewode, a notorious member of the Aye cult group, who just returned from prison, was attacked and shot dead at Adeun, Lafenwa in Abeokuta.

“He was shot dead during a shootout at their hideout in a cool spot during a birthday party.

“On February 4, around 10.45 p.m., in Oshungboye Crescent in Akinolugbade, a suspected cultist was shot dead, while another was shot in the chest,” Odutola said.

She added that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings.

She listed those arrested to include: Oluga Abiola, Olamilekan Abiodun, Olarenwaju Michael, Jimoh Okewole and Wasu Tolulope.

Others are: Abiodun Adeyemi, Muiz Adeyemi, Adebowale Saheed, Adebowale Ayoola, David Oviem and Adebowale Olayori.

No fewer than four persons were reportedly killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in various cult clashes in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

It was further gathered that the clash started on Thursday when a suspected leader of the Eiye confraternity, simply identified as Dare, was shot dead in front of his house in the Ijeja area of Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

An eyewitness who spoke to our correspondent said Dare, who was popularly known as Oloba, was shot dead on Thursday evening by suspected members of the Buccaneer Confraternity.

A police source also confirmed to our correspondent that Oloba was killed on Thursday, while another suspected cultist commonly called Tayo Alora was also murdered in the Isabo area of the state capital on Sunday morning.

A resident who does not want his name in print said Tayo must have been trailed to the point where he was gunned down.

“They must have trailed him there, but they really didn’t engage in any disagreement or fight before he was shot. This is really scary. The government should quickly rise up to this before things get out of hand again.

“This is how they always start. The police and other security agencies should please start their work immediately.”

The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of three men as a result of a cult clash in the Oriuzor community, Ezza North Local Government of the state.

Joshua Ukandu, the acting Police Public Relation Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, had said in Abakaliki that the clash was between some cult groups in the area.

According to Ukandu, there was a report of gunshots and cult members clashing on Sunday at the Oriuzor community. Unfortunately, three people were killed as a result of the incident.

“Two persons have been arrested in connection with the clash, although the situation has been put under control.”