Police Arrest 19 Over Deadly Cult Clash in Owo, Ondo State
At least 19 individuals have been arrested in connection with the deadly cult clash that claimed the lives of four people in Owo, Ondo State, on Monday.
The newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, provided this update during a visit to Owo on Tuesday, where he conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the violent incident. The clash, reportedly fueled by two rival cult groups, was worsened by retaliatory actions that led to more violence.
According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, Commissioner Afolabi, who recently assumed office, immediately faced the crisis and has vowed to prioritize combating crime and social unrest across the state.
“Currently, 19 suspects have been arrested in relation to the incident,” Odunlami-Omisanya said. “The investigations are ongoing to assess their involvement.”
The police chief also warned potential criminals to steer clear of Ondo, stressing that the police force is determined to eradicate all forms of crime and criminal activity in the state.
The fatal clash led to the killing of Fisayo Oladipo, a prominent APC chieftain in Owo Local Government, as well as three others. Oladipo, also known as Fissey Ehin Ogbe, was a former youth leader of the APC and an influential figure in the local government. The attack occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Monday when gunmen raided his house.
In response to the violence, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Owo to prevent further unrest.
The new Commissioner of Police, Afolabi, takes over from Abayomi Oladipo, who has been redeployed.
Afolabi holds a B.Sc. in Botany from the University of Ilorin, and postgraduate degrees in Peace and Security Studies from the University of Port Harcourt. He joined the police force in 1992 and has since built a distinguished career.
