BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
At least, four persons have been killed in a renewed cult war in Ilesa, Osun State.
The latest deadly encounter started last Sunday after some suspected cultists from Eye Aye confraternities clashed.
Two suspected cultists were killed on Sunday night. They were identified as Machine and S. Kay.
It was gathered that the two were found dead after an exchange of gunshots at the Imo area of the town.
A source in the area disclosed that one of the victims was killed in front of a beer parlour while the other was found dead at Imo junction close to the bar.
However, apparently on reprisal mission, another gang of cultists struck on Tuesday afternoon killing two persons at Sabo area, along Ilesa/Akure express road.
Security sources informed The Point that the victims were two young men and that they were forced to alight from a moving vehicle at Sabo by some suspected Aye cultists.
Immediately they left the vehicle, the young men identified as Lekan, aged 28, and Sunday, aged 25, their attackers shot them dead on the heads.
Both victims were said to be residents of Muslim Area in Ilesa and they were alleged to be members of the Eiye cult group.
The Point was further informed that four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene of the onslaught.
Their remains have been taken to a morgue in the town as police have launched a manhunt for the fleeing cultists.
Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the killing of two persons on Sunday.
Residents of Ilesa have been living in fear over a killing spree by suspected cultists in the town.
The town was thrown into tension last Sunday night after two suspected cultists were reportedly shot dead during a rival cult clash in Ilesa.
It was gathered that an elderly man was shot by three men who were riding on a motorcycle last weekend close to Anifowose junction in Ilesa.
In the Irojo and Bolunduro areas of the ancient town, some residents disclosed that there was continuous gunfire for more than 20 minutes on Monday.
It was gathered that someone was slain in broad daylight on Tuesday in what has become reprisal attacks by cultists groups.
Despite that three police divisions are located in Ilesa, an area Command headed by the Area Commander and offices of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Department of State Services, the onslaughts have not abated.
Residents of Ilesa have continued to live in fear and have appealed to the state government and security forces to wake up to their responsibilities of securing the lives and property of the people of Ilesa and other towns in Osun.
In an interview with The Point, a community leader in Ilesa, Pa Tunde Oginni, called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to save the town from the rising attacks and deaths.
He also appealed to security agencies to be alive to their duties, lamenting that residents were afraid to move about their legitimate businesses freely due to constant deadly attacks.
