Five die, many injured, houses razed in OPC, cultists clash

Five persons have been killed and many injured in a clash between suspected cultists and members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Owo, Owo local government area.

But the Police said only two persons died in the incident.

The clash occurred at Idasen and Ijebu areas of Owo.

Some residents were said to have been hit by stray bullets during exchange of gunfire.

Witnesses said business activities were paralysed in the area.

It was reliably gathered the OPC, in its commitment to stamp out cultism, had killed two suspected cultists and burnt their houses.

The cult group of the two victims however attacked OPC to avenge the death of their members.

Many members of OPC, including their leader have reportedly fled into the bush to avoid being killed.

Chairman of the local government, Mr. Olabade Adegbegi, who warned trouble makers to stay away from the locality, vowed that government would deal with the perpetrators.

Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, who confirmed the incident, said two persons were killed and many others injured.

He said security operatives have taken full control of the area.

Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, had last year threatened to curse those who refused to renounce cultism in his domain.

Oba Ogunoye said he was to stamp out menace of cultism by making 500 of them renounced using traditional means.

“Before I became King, Owo was notorious for violence, acrimony and all social vices. Our youths were neck deep into cultism.

“The next thing is to face cultism. I have appealed to our youths as well as use the instrumentality of our foundation to ensuring that a lot of them renounced violence. More than 500 have renounced violence.

“The various cult organisations have their footholds in Owo. Our youths fight against themselves based on their cult leaning. There is peace now and our youths are now looking towards the positive things of life.

“With that I have been able to encourage them to face farming and to learn skills. They have embraced the idea.

‘’We now have youths that are well focused. They are now into agriculture and learning various skills. We have been able to direct them aright.”