At least five people, including Fisayo Oladipupo, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Owo, Ondo State, a mother, and her child, have been shot dead during a violent clash between suspected cult groups in the historic town.
Tension has gripped the community following the casualties suffered within just ten hours.
Oladipupo, aged 56, was a former youth leader of the ruling party and a respected member of the party in the Owo Local Government.
Reports indicate that the cult conflict erupted around 2 am on Monday, 6th January 2025, with two rival groups engaged in a battle for supremacy, resulting in five fatalities.
Four of the victims were shot in the Eyinogbe, Ekusi, and Uselu areas of the town.
Oladipupo is believed to have been shot at close range by his assailants.
An unverified source reported that his killers were seeking revenge for an unresolved feud that dates back over a decade.
According to the source, “The attackers were familiar with the Chieftain. It stemmed from a long-standing family conflict.”
“We learned that the house of one of the attackers was set ablaze by local youths, prompting a retaliatory arson of the victim’s father’s house.
“The murder of Oladipupo escalated tensions in Owo. We heard he was killed around 2:00 am this morning.
“As the community was still reeling from his death, we learned that others had also been attacked and killed in various parts of Owo.
“A woman and her child were killed in Mobile, struck by stray bullets while trying to escape to safety.”
The two other victims were suspected cult members who died during a shootout between the rival groups.
Oladipupo’s body has been taken to the morgue at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo.
Confirming the killings, the state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, stated that police detectives have commenced investigations.
Odunlami added, “We cannot confirm if an APC chieftain is among the deceased, but four people have been confirmed dead. Normalcy has returned thanks to police intervention, and efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible.”
