Four killed, 74 arrested in Lagos cult clashes

Four persons reportedly died in clashes between two rival cults in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu and Itire in Lagos State on Friday and Saturday.

In Odogunyan, it was learnt that three persons were killed around the Power Line area, near the First Gate.

A tricycle rider was said to have been hit in the arms by bullets from the hoodlums.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she did not know what triggered the clash between members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities, but noted that the area was under siege for the period the clash lasted.

Another source told one of PUNCH correspondents that the fight had not ended as both groups had vowed to deal with each other.

The source stated, “The fight has not ended. On Saturday, the police and local vigilantes in the area recovered three bodies. Many of the Aiye and Eiye members were arrested on Saturday in connection with the killings and the unrest in the area.

“About 74 of the cult members have been arrested and are being detained at the Sagamu Road Police Station, Ikorodu, since the crisis started. A police source told me that the operation is continuing as many of the cult members are being picked up daily.

“The operation is being carried out by the police and the Onyabo local vigilante group. Since the crisis started, about  14 persons have been killed. But those killed on Friday were three.”

In the Itire area of the state, a suspected cultist, Aliu Lamidi, was reportedly stabbed to death by a member of a rival group during a supremacy battle on Saturday.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the clash between members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities also led to the burning of three vehicles and escalated tension in the area.

It was gathered that Lamidi was stabbed in the neck allegedly by the son of the owner of a hotel in the area during an argument that broke out between members of the rival cults, who were said to be drinking at a bar in the hotel.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspect, who stabbed Lamidi, absconded after perpetrating the crime, adding that the victim died while being rushed to hospital.

He stated that 10 suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime, adding that men of the command had been deployed to restore normalcy in the area.

Elkana said, “On Saturday, September 21, 2019, around 10.50pm, the police received a distress call about a fire outbreak at the Chukwuma Hotel by Babashola Street, Itire. A combined team of policemen and firefighters were mobilised to the scene. The fire was eventually extinguished. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was ignited by some members of the Eiye and Aiye confraternities, who clashed at a bar in the hotel.

“Trouble started around 10pm when an argument ensued between members of the two rival gangs at the bar. The son of the owner of the hotel, who is now at large, was said to have stabbed a member of a rival gang, Aliu Lamidi, 29, in the neck. The victim was rushed to hospital where he eventually died.

“Three vehicles that were parked by the roadside were also burnt. Ten suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. Security has been beefed up in the affected area. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged.”