Cult Clash Kills APC Chieftain and Three Others in Ondo

Violence erupted in Owo, Ondo State, on Monday, following a shootout between two rival cult groups that resulted in the deaths of four people, including a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The deadly clash disrupted commercial activities in the town, with shops hurriedly closing as residents feared further retaliation by the cultists.

A source, speaking anonymously, suggested that the violence was part of a long-standing feud that has claimed many lives in the area over the past decade. The violence began on Sunday, January 5, and continued until the early hours of Monday.

On Sunday, a 52-year-old man, Fisayo Oladipupo, was reportedly shot by unidentified assailants. The incident escalated around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, when the gunmen attacked Oladipupo’s home, leading to his death. Oladipupo, also known as Fissey Ehin Ogbe, was a youth leader and a well-known member of the APC in the local government area.

In addition to Oladipupo, a mother and her child, who were passersby, were killed by stray bullets during a reprisal attack that followed. According to the source, Oladipupo was believed to have known his attacker, which may have contributed to the violence. The source also mentioned that 15 years ago, the house of the father of the suspected attacker was set ablaze by local youths, and in retaliation, Oladipupo’s father’s house was burned down on Monday, January 6.

A viral video obtained by LEADERSHIP showed a man lying lifeless on the road as residents fled the scene in panic.

Ondo State Police Spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the incident, noting that while they could not verify whether an APC chieftain was involved, four deaths had been confirmed. She stated that normalcy had returned to the town following police intervention, and efforts were underway to arrest those responsible for the violence.