Cultists kill three, injure five in Ilorin

Persons, suspected to be cultists, have killed a 30-year-old man, popularly known as Gani, and two other persons in Ilorin, Kwara State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred at about 9am on Tuesday when five suspected cultists,  allegedly chased  rival gang members to Ipata in Ilorin South Local Government of the state.

The suspects were said to have shot sporadically while chasing their target and eventually shot Gani in the neck, resulting in his death.

The cultists also cut his (Gani’s) lifeless body with machetes.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told journalists in Ilorin that the suspected cultists chased Gani from his residence at Aduralere to Ipata where they allegedly caught up with him and murdered him.

The source also said the lifeless body of the victim, which had been soaked in blood was later evacuated by riot policemen who were swiftly deployed in  the scene to restore normalcy.

Other attacks were said to have subsequently occurred at Gambari and Adewole areas.

Our correspondent gathered that after the attacks two other persons were feared dead while five people sustained serious injuries.

It was learnt that the current attacks appeared to be a reprisal as journalists in Ilorin were informed that the orgy of killings started last Friday.

A source said the killings started at a pub in Mubo Street when a middle-aged barber, who worked at Lajoorin Street, was stabbed to death.

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, said only one person died after the Tuesday’s attacks.

He added that the police had arrested two persons and had commenced investigations.

“Only one person died after the attacks.  We arrested two persons and investigations in the matter have commenced,” Fabode said.




-- Punch