At least 16 students alleged to be cultists in the Kwara State Polytechnic were feared dead in clashes between two rival cult groups at the institution.
The Nation reports that the police have already apprehended more than 30 suspects in connection with the incident.
Ajayi Okasanmi, the police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests, adding that 14 suspects had been found culpable after preliminary investigation. He also revealed that the alleged cultists would be charged to court this week.
This Day reports that that one of the victims was shot dead during screening of aspirants for a students’ union government’s election, while another victim was reportedly killed at Asa Dam Road area of Ilorin by suspected members of the Eiye confraternity.
According to eyewitnesses, the student’s death triggered reprisals and a renewed clash among members of the Eiye and Aiye rival groups.
“It all started around 4pm at the weekend. A victim who lived at Agbooba was killed beside a bridge close to the filling station at Oja Tuntun area of Ilorin.
“Another body was found at a popular hotel, on Sunday (August 16). One suspected cult member was murdered at Irewolede yesterday. The deceased was chased to the area and was matcheted by his assailants,” a resident of Niger Road said.
A students’ leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that there was a violent attack, which left an unidentified student seriously injured. However, he denied knowledge of any reprisal attacks on the campus.
“I can confirm to you that there was an attack on campus last Thursday carried out by unidentified persons. We are still trying to know their identity.
“The attackers are on the run; the police and Department of State Services operatives are aware of the incident. The victim of the attack is not yet confirmed dead but he is seriously injured. He was rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin.
“I cannot confirm if the Thursday incident led to any reprisal but there was no killing on our campus, Kwara Polytechnic. Although we heard about clashes in several areas, which are far away from the school, I can confirm none of our students was involved,”he said.
Another student also confirmed the attack, but could not give the name of the victim. However, he said that the attack may have led to several reprisals, which allegedly left more than 10 students died.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Yunus Abdulkadir, the institution’s public relations officer, said that the management of the school had closed down the institution since last week after the students had finished their examinations.
Earlier this week, one person was reportedly killed following a clash between members of rival cult groups in Ogoja, Cross River state. Ten suspected cultists and four kidnappers were arrested in connection with the incident.
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