Three persons have been killed following a clash between suspected members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities in the Imo area of Ilesa, Osun State.
The Osun State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, on Tuesday, saying the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday.
According to the command, the victims, identified as Idowu, Yinka and Eja, were shot dead during the clash, although their identities had yet to be properly established.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police in charge of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, immediately directed the deployment of operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit to the area following a distress call.
“The Osun State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that there was a reported cult-related clash between suspected members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities in the Imo area of Ilesa, Osun State, at about 8:00 p.m.
“Following the incident, three persons, identified as Idowu, Yinka and Eja, all yet to be properly identified, were reportedly shot dead,” the statement said.
The police said four expended cartridges and two Android mobile phones were recovered from the scene, while preliminary investigations had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings and identify those responsible.
The command added that the CP had directed the VCRU and other tactical teams to intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations in Ilesa and neighbouring areas, particularly around identified flashpoints.
The move, it said, was aimed at preventing further violence and possible reprisal attacks.
The police warned members of rival cult groups and other criminal elements against exploiting the incident to cause further unrest, stressing that anyone found involved in cult-related violence, reprisal attacks, unlawful possession of firearms or other criminal activities would be arrested and prosecuted.
The command also appealed to residents of Ilesa to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and report suspicious movements or activities to the police.
It assured residents that investigation into the incident was ongoing and that further developments would be communicated to the public.
