The recent peaceful atmosphere in Ikorodu division has once again been thrown into a state of pandemonium as members of rivalry cult groups resumed hostility across the division, killing one another with reckless abandon.
The latest attacks by the cult groups, which have taken a more deadly dimension, particularly in Ikorodu and Igbogbo, have led to the gruesome killings of about eight (8) suspected cultists while several others were said to have sustained varying degree of fatal injuries.
According to report gathered by Oriwu Sun, the resurgent gang killings started on May 17, 2020, with the killing of one Kazeem Allison who was said to be a member of Eiye cult group.
The slain suspected cultist, who was a barber, was reportedly attacked and gruesomely murdered around 8p.m at a car wash close to a popular hotel along Igbe road in Igbogbo, by some assailants who were believed to be members of rival cult group.
The remains of Kazeem was said to have been evacuated by the officers of the Ikorodu Police Command while investigation was said to have been launched into his murder.
Two days later, a leader of Axe cult group, popular known as Apetu, was killed around 8p.m in what was said to be a retaliation by a rival cult group. His remains was reported to have been removed by members of his cult groups before the security team could arrived at the scene.
It was further gathered that another person identified as Jalo, was killed when the cultists went to bury Apetu on Wednesday, May 20, at Oreta area of Igbogbo/Bayeku local Council Development area (LCDA).
According to report, Jalo was said not to have belonged to any cult group but was mistaken for his brother who is an alleged cult member trailed to the scene of the burial by members of a rival cult group.
On Thursday, May 21, another suspected cult member was reportedly killed at Ibeshe by some assailants who were also believed to be members of a rival cult group. His corpse was said to have been retrieved by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ipakodo.
The wanton killings by the cult groups continued on Thursday, May 28, in Bayeku area of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA with the killing of a suspected Eiye cult members who was said to be within the age bracket of 30 years plus.
The young man, who, until his murder, was said to be issuing tickets to Okada riders at Isikalu Street in Ikorodu, reportedly hailed from a popular family in Ikorodu.
The following day, another suspected Eiye cult member was allegedly killed in a very gruesome manner by six members of the Axe cult group at Raheem Soyiga street in Aga area of Ikorodu.
It was gathered that the slain cultist was pursued by his assailants on two motorbikes from Cele 2 area of Aga to the Raheem Soyiga street where he was shot in the head and stomach and also butchered with axe. The gunshots was said to have ripped open his stomach with his intestines glaringly exposed.
The left hand of the deceased was said to have a deep cut which showed an attempt by his killer to cut off the wrist and go away with it, an act which reportedly has become the trademark of the cult group in recent time.
While the resurgent wanton killings by the cult groups have continued unabated and created palpable tension which has instilled fears in residents across the division, men of various Police Commands and units in the division in conjunction with the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Onyabo Vigilance Group, Agbekoya and other local security formations, were said to be on the trail of the perpetrators of the heinous killings most of whom are currently on the run.