By Ahmed Ajikobi
There was pandemonium in Erubu area of Emir’s Road, Ilorin last Wednesday following invasion of unidentified suspected cultists, who unleashed terror in the area.
A 21-year-old Jambite, simply identified Azeez was said to have been killed by the suspected cultists during the attack.
According to sources in the area who craved anonymity for security reasons, Azeez, who was awaiting admission into higher institution was not target of the gunmen.
It was gathered that the suspected cultists stormed the community at about 9:30pm on the fateful day in search of their target simply identified as Isiaq.
Giving account of the attack, a resident of the area said:”Isiaq who was their target had sighted them from a far and taken to his heels. The attackers also gave him a hot chase.
“Azeez, a 21-year-old who was sitting together with his parents at the front of their house also scampered for safety when he saw the suspected cultists armed with dangerous weapons.
“Isiaq ran into Azeez’ house which was next to his and the assailants forcefully gained entrance into the house and shot Azeez at close range.
The source revealed that the parents of the deceased have been evicted from the area while Isiaq has been declared wanted.
“The target of the suspected Cultists, Isiaq had been decalred wanted and his picture had been placed and pasted around Emir’s road.”
It would be recalled that for about fortnight now, there have been killings in diffrent parts of Ilorin, the State capital as a result of reprisal attacks by suspected cultists.
The affect areas were Abayawo, Taiwo, Niger, Erubu among other areas.
This medium learnt that the first attack was recorded at Abayawo area where one person simply identified as terry G was killed.
A yet to be identified person was said to have been killed in Niger area of Ilorin, while an alleged reprisal attack claimed the life of a suspected cultist at Taiwo Isale area.
It was learnt that the deceased, simply called Ayoboy was trailed to a construction site by his assailants who hit him on the head with dangerous weapons.
“Ayo boy was rushed to hospital around the area but was rejected before he was later rushed to General Hospital where he gave up the ghost,” a source said.
However, a police source who spoke on anonymity condition told our reporter that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, adding that investigation into the matter is ongoing.
When contacted, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ajayi Okasanmi of the Police Headquarters confirmed renewed attacks by suspected cultists in the state capital.
Okasanmi in a telephone interview with our reporter on Sunday (yesterday) l, said the Police Command have do far recorded only two cases, adding that the Commissioner of Police has directed Intelligence officers of the State CID to look into the matter and arrest the perpetrators.
“We learnt that two weeks ago, there were attacks by suspected cultists in Ilorin. A suspected cultist was killed and the parent buried him without informing the police, but police got to know through its Intelligence officers.
“Commissioner of Police had directed the State CIID to look into the matter and everything is under investigation. We had so far recorded only two deaths.”
Reacting on the arrest, Okasanmi said he had no knowledge of any arrest so far.
“The matter is still under investigation and they might have arrested some suspects; but I’m not aware of any of arrest made in connection with the cultists’ attack.”
