About 16 people were feared dead at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during clashes between suspected cult members, The Nation Reports.
The cause of the clashes are not clear yet though it was gathered that suspected members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities clashed at one of the higher institutions in the town.
The Police however said they have arrested more than 30 suspects.
The Kwara State Police Public Relations officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, who confirmed the arrests, said 14 had been found culpable after screening, adding that the 14 would be charged to court this week.
According to reports, one of the victims was gunned down during the screening of aspirants for a Students’ Union Government’s election at the weekend while another one was reportedly killed at Asa Dam Road area of the town by suspected members of the Eiye confraternity.
Recounting the clashes, an eyewitness said the death triggered reprisals and a renewed clash among members of the Eiye and Aiye confraternities, leading to the spread of the clashes to places like Agbooba, Baboko, Sabonline, Irewolede and Niger Road.
A resident of Niger Road said: “It all started around 4pm at the weekend. A victim who lived at Agbooba was killed beside a bridge close to the filling station at Oja Tuntun area of Ilorin.
“Another body was found at a popular hotel on Sunday. One suspected cult member was murdered at Irewolede yesterday. The deceased was chased to the area and was matcheted by his assailants,” the source said.
A student leader, who does not want to be named, confirmed last night that there was a violent attack last Thursday, which left an unidentified student seriously injured.
He however denied knowledge of any reprisal attack on the campus.
The student said: “I can confirm to you that there was an attack on campus last Thursday carried out by unidentified persons. We are still trying to know their identity.
“The attackers are on the run; the police and Department of State Services operatives are aware of the incident. The victim of the attack is not yet confirmed dead but he is seriously injured. He was rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin.
“I cannot confirm if the Thursday incident led to any reprisal but there was no killing on our campus, Kwara Polytechnic. Although we heard about clashes in several areas, which are far away from the school, I can confirm none of our students was involved.”
Another student, who simply gave his name as Lateef, however confirmed the attack, saying it happened at Motion Ground. He added that the attack may have led to several reprisals, which allegedly left more than 10 students dead.
Comments