No fewer than 16 people have been killed in a renewed orgy of clashes in communities in Ogun State.
Only recently, a popular area boy known as Tommy was killed at the popular Panseke market in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The clash, which was reported to be a battle between the Eiye and Aiye cult groups, took a more dangerous dimension immediately after Tommy was murdered.
Investigations revealed that before Tommy was killed, six other persons had been killed in different parts of Abeokuta.
A source, who opted for anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the issue, listed casualties in Abeokuta as Scatter, School Boy, Alakanni, Tommy, Azeez, Olaosebikan, Alameda, and Babajide.
The killings were said to have taken place at different locations such as Asero, Kugba, Ikereku, Adigbe, Oke Ijeun, Isale Abetu, and Panseke, where the popular Tommy was killed.
Locals say these uninterrupted spate of killings have not occurred in Ogun State in almost a decade. Areas in the state capital such as Oluwo, Mercy Road, and Mango have become regular sites of violent clashes and killings.
It was gathered that the clashes between the Eiye and Aiye cult groups have persisted, lasting for over a week, following the killing of key leaders of both groups.
Since Tommy was killed, several small business owners have refused to open their shops, especially around the Oluwo, Onikolobo, Mango, and Adigbe areas.
Tommy was buried at his house in Oluwo amidst tears on Saturday.
On Sunday night, gunshots, again, rent the atmosphere at Panseke as residents and motorists ran for dear life.
On Wednesday however,, two gunmen also shot dead one Dare Ojugbele, suspected to be a member of the Eiye cult group, in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.
Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the attack, adding that the deceased had just been released from the Nigeria Correctional Service.
“We are on top of the matter, we have taken charge of the place and we have launched a manhunt for the miscreants.”