The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 46 young men following a deadly clash between rival cult groups that erupted in Ondo town on Tuesday evening. The violent confrontation claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured, spreading fear and tension across the ancient town.
According to reports, the violence broke out in multiple neighborhoods, including Ife Garage, Sabo, and Christ Land in the Oka area. Masked gunmen believed to be members of a cult group launched coordinated attacks, opening fire on their targets. At least three individuals associated with the Ẹiyẹ confraternity were reportedly k!lled at Ife Garage, while another fatality occurred in the Sabo area.
In a statement released on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, described the incident as a serious threat to public safety. He disclosed that police operatives conducted a series of coordinated raids across identified hotspots in the town, resulting in the arrest of 46 suspects. Several firearms and rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operation.
“These are desperate times, and they call for desperate actions,” Ayanlade stated, emphasizing that all arrested suspects had varying levels of involvement in the violent unrest. He affirmed the command’s commitment to tracking down every individual connected to the conflict.
Ayanlade urged residents to remain calm, avoid panic, and cooperate with security agencies. “We will not rest until we arrest the remaining people who are responsible for the crisis,” he assured.
Meanwhile, local authorities and community leaders have called for heightened vigilance and unity among residents to prevent a recurrence of such violence. They emphasized that restoring peace and ensuring long-term security in Ondo town must be a collective effort.