Authorities in Ondo State have apprehended 19 individuals suspected of being involved in cult-related activities following a violent clash between rival groups in Owo town.
The incident, which turned tragic, claimed the lives of a mother and her child, who were hit by stray bullets during the fracas. Among the casualties was Fisayo Oladipo, a former youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), popularly known as Fissey Ehin Ogbe. Oladipo and another individual were fatally shot during the confrontation on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The remains of the victims, including Oladipo, have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre morgue in Owo. Spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, stated that officers have been dispatched to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents in the area.
In a move to address the situation, Ondo State Police Commissioner Wilfred Afolabi visited Owo to assess the aftermath of the clash. He confirmed that 19 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. Afolabi also highlighted that his team is enforcing compliance with the curfew imposed by the state government, noting that “normalcy has returned, and calm has been restored across the town.”
Contrary to speculations of a higher death toll, the commissioner disclosed that only four fatalities had been officially recorded. He assured law-abiding residents of their safety and warned perpetrators of violence that they would face justice.
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