The Ogun State Police Command has intensified efforts to track down four unidentified individuals suspected to be members of a notorious cult group involved in a fatal attack that occurred on Sunday night in the Atan-Ota area of the state.
The brutal assault led to the death of a 44-year-old man identified as Bashiru Saidu.
According to reports, the attack stemmed from a violent clash between rival cult groups operating within the community. Bashiru Saidu, who was allegedly affiliated with the Eiye Confraternity, was targeted and shot in the head by the assailants.
The attackers, numbering four, arrived at the crime scene riding on two motorcycles, executed the killing, and fled immediately afterwards.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the command had commenced a thorough investigation to apprehend those responsible for the killing.
She explained that the Atan-Ota Divisional Headquarters received a distress call around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, reporting the deadly attack that occurred along Bankole Onibukun Street in Atan-Ota.
In her words, “The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into a fatal cult-related incident that claimed the life of one individual in the Atan-Ota area of the state. Four armed men, riding on two motorcycles, attacked and fatally shot one Bashiru Saidu, aged 44.”
Odutola further revealed that police operatives swiftly arrived at the scene following the distress call. Upon arrival, the officers found the victim lying with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. His remains were subsequently evacuated and deposited at the State Hospital Mortuary in Ilaro for further examination and autopsy.
In a swift response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered the immediate deployment of the Anti-Cultism Unit to the area. The unit has been mandated to carry out a comprehensive investigation with the objective of apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice without delay.
CSP Odutola reiterated the command’s unwavering position against cultism and related violence. She emphasized that the Ogun State Police Command remains resolute in its mission to combat cult activities, restore peace, and ensure the safety of residents across the state.
She stated, “The command strongly condemns all forms of cult-related violence and reiterates its commitment to rooting out cultism and restoring peace and security across the state.”
The police authorities have also urged members of the public to provide useful information that could aid the investigation, assuring that all information shared will be treated with utmost confidentiality.