Osun APC urges stronger action after two die in suspected cult clash

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has expressed concern over renewed killings in the state and urged the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke to take stronger action to protect residents. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, on Saturday, the party said the expectation that the end of the governorship election would reduce the violence had not been fulfilled. It described the reported killings as damaging to the state’s reputation and security.

The APC called on the police and other security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and property. It said there could be no acceptable excuse for further killings and argued that repeated incidents raised questions about the performance of government and statutory security services. The party’s comments followed a police confirmation that two people had been killed in a suspected clash involving rival cult groups in Osogbo, the state capital.

The incident reportedly occurred at a lounge in the Owoeba area along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road at about 5 p.m. on Friday. Osun police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said four other people sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital by the police.

He identified one of the dead as a man known as “Small Rugged”, saying his other names were not yet known. Ojelabi said the command was aware of a shooting suspected to have been carried out by cult groups around the Oke Baale area of Osogbo. He added that Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura had directed tactical teams to move into the area and apprehend those responsible.

The APC urged the state government to prevent further loss of life. The police statement did not announce any arrests, and the identities of the alleged attackers had not been established in the supplied account.